Cooperation needed to thwart North Korea

The following editorial is from the Yomiuri Shimbun, a Japanese newspaper.

North Korea’s military threat has clearly become more serious. The net encircling Pyongyang must be urgently tightened through international cooperation.

North Korea has fired a ballistic missile from its northwestern region. It is the country’s 10th test-firing of a missile this year. After traveling for about 40 minutes, the missile most likely landed in Japan’s exclusive economic zone in the Sea of Japan, about 900 kilometers from the launch site.

The country trumpeted its nuclear capabilities, saying, “As a nuclear power that possesses an ICBM that can strike any part of the world, North Korea will root out the United States’ threat.” North Korea is maneuvering to participate in negotiations on a peace accord as a “nuclear power” on an equal footing with the United States.

(Japan’s) Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had every reason to say, “Pressure by the international community will be strengthened through the strong unity of Japan, the United States and South Korea.” A trilateral summit is scheduled on the sidelines of the upcoming Group of 20 summit meeting in Germany. Cooperation among the three countries must be bolstered further.

According to defense officials of Japan and South Korea, the latest launch used a lofted trajectory capable of firing missiles higher than ordinary trajectories, sending the missile to an altitude of more than 2,500 kilometers. The lofted trajectory launch method accelerates the missile’s falling speed, making it more difficult for missile defense systems to intercept it. Deterrence preparations by Japan, the United States and South Korea are called into question in this regard.

However, North Korea’s claim that its missile is capable of reaching the U.S. mainland cannot be taken at face value. North Korea has yet to develop the atmospheric re-entry technology indispensable to ICBMs. Cool-headed analysis is necessary.

The latest test-launch is also likely intended as a check on China. The United States has become increasingly dissatisfied with China over its failure to apply sufficient pressure on Pyongyang.

U.S. President Donald Trump emphasized China’s responsibility in a tweet, writing, “Perhaps China will put a heavy move on North Korea and end this nonsense once and for all!”

The U.S.-China summit will be held on the sidelines of the G-20 summit meeting. China, which serves as a lifeline for the North Korean economy, must implement effective sanctions such as restricting crude oil supplies and the acceptance of North Korean workers, to meet Washington’s request.

This is the fifth time a North Korean ballistic missile has landed in Japan’s EEZ. The government has used newspaper advertisements and other means to inform people in advance of proper evacuation methods in the event of missiles landing on Japanese soil. The number of municipalities holding evacuation drills has increased. It is essential to expand public relations activities and evacuation exercises that prepare for various contingencies.