Trump must avoid war with North Korea

The inept handling of North Korea's nuclear and ballistic program by US President Donald Trump have significantly increased the probability of a bloody war on the Korean Peninsula.While Russia and China are favouring diplomacy over war as any military conflict with North Korea has the potential to spiral out of control into a disaster as Kim Jong un has huge stocks of chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons. Trump who came to power with his assurance that US forces will be brought back from Afghanistan, has now taking the most risky course by coming in direct confrontation with North Korea by continued use of  fiery words against Kim Jong un  and faulty diplomacy that may led to catastrophic consequences.

 

On one side Trump is seen provoking KIm by rresponding to North Korean missile tests with a barrage of increasingly reckless and incendiary statements, claiming that the regime's leaders "only understand one thing!" and threatening that, "They won't be around much longer!"

 

 

After the launch of new model intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) which North Korea claimed was capable of hitting the eastern seaboard of the United States, Hawaii tested its 385 nuclear warning sirens for the first time since the Cold War on Friday.

 

Now  Trump  and Pentagon are choosing options for a ground invasion of North Korea to locate and destroy its nuclear sites.But  25 million residents of Seoul  are only 35 miles from the border and well within range of North Korean artillery, rockets, and ballistic missiles.

But Trump should adopt former President Barack Obama's diplomacy to deal with Pyongyang to save American people  and military from nuclear war.

 

 

Meanwhile,Defense Secretary James N. Mattis is engaged with Japan to tackle North Korea through diplomacy  and in a 30-minute phone conversation between Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera, both leaders united in defending their people and maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region especially in light of Nov. 28 intercontinental ballistic missile launch.

 

Both Mattis and Onodera said both the countries are strongly aligned on security issues with a keen, shared recognition of the danger associated with North Korea's reckless, outlaw behavior, which is contrary to United Nations Security Council Resolutions.

 

Mattis also reaffirmed the United States' ironclad commitment to the U.S.-Japan security alliance, and said that the United States remains vigilant in providing Japan extended deterrence with the full range of U.S. capabilities.

 

Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana W. White said Mattis and Onodera concluded their conversation by agreeing that North Korea's ongoing aggressive actions make all the more clear the need for multilateral security cooperation in order to address this growing threat and to maintain stability throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

 

 

 This is North Korea’s third ICBM test this year, following two in July, and the first missile launch of any kind since Sept. 15, when they tested an intermediate range missile.

 

The ICBM was launched from Sain Ni, North Korea, north of Pyongyang, and traveled east about 1,000 kilometers -- about 620 miles -- before splashing down in the Sea of Japan, within Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone, an area that extends 200 nautical miles from its coast.

Time Line 

• In 1993, the Council approved Resolution 825 calling on North Korea to remain in the Nonproliferation Treaty. That didn’t work. North Korea withdrew from the treaty and continued its nuclear pursuit.
• In 2006, the Six Party Talks faltered, and North Korea conducted several ballistic missile launches. That led to Resolution 1695 condemning them.
• The same year, North Korea conducted its first nuclear test. That led to Resolution 1718, establishing a UN sanctions regime, aiming to stop all nuclear, ballistic missile, and other weapons of mass destruction programs.
• After Six Party Talks fell apart again in 2009, North Korea conducted additional missile launches and its second nuclear test. That led to Resolution 1874, which expanded sanctions, including an arms embargo and cargo inspection obligations.
• In 2012, the Leap Day Deal failed, and North Korea conducted two new space launches. The Security Council responded with the adoption of Resolution 2087.
• Following North Korea’s third nuclear test in 2013, the Council adopted Resolution 2094, expanding sanctions to restrict financial, maritime, aviation, and diplomatic activities.
• By 2016, North Korea had conducted its fourth nuclear test and another space launch. They followed that with more missile launches. In response, the Council adopted multiple resolutions expanding sanctions even further, targeting whole sectors of North Korea’s economy.