Indian Defence Review

Today, when the world’s focus is firmly riveted on the ruthless violence perpetrated by Islamic radicals like IS, Al Quaeda, Al Shhbab, Tehrik e Taliban, Pakistan, Taliban, Boko Haram, Lashkar e Tayeba and many other such organisations, it is necessary for the world community to not lose sight of the other, a more serious threat; the one posed by North Korea, a reclusive State about which not much is known outside its borders. What is, however, well known about the Democratic People Republic of Korea (the name that North Korea prefers for itself), is the unending accretion of its nuclear and conventional arsenal that poses a serious threat to its neighbouring countries, mostly American allies.

Ever since Donald Trump took over the Presidency of the United State of America, North Korean belligerence has caused immense concern around the world in general, and to its neighbours in particular. Of late, the tensions in the region have exacerbated due to the series of nuclear test carried out by North Korea with the specific aim of developing and testing a nuclear- tipped missile to reach the United States mainland. It was expected that Pyongyang would carry out a nuclear test on April 25, to mark the 85 years since the founding of its Army. However, no such thing happened.

On the other hand, it carried out a massive ‘fire drill’ in the eastern port city of Wonsan. According to its news agency, Yon hap, this ‘largest ever’ exercise was witnessed by the North Korean dictator, Kim Jong-Un.

The U.S. is acutely aware of the fact that with a nuclear test every six months, North Korea will incrementally improve its nuclear arsenal, thereby increasing the threat to the United States, manifold.

America, therefore, feels that time is running out for it to act; merely imposing sanctions won’t work. In order to re-assure its allies in the region, the U.S redirected its aircraft carrier, USS Carl Vinson, to the North Korean Peninsula, where it is expected to reach later this week. The Aircraft Carrier is likely to take part in a joint military/ naval exercise with its ally, South Korea,  in the sea of Japan (also called East Sea by South Korea), and later, in the Yellow Sea.

In the meantime, a U.S nuclear- powered guided- missile submarine, USS Michigan, armed with 150 cruise missiles, docked at South Korean port, Bussan, amid growing tensions. However, South Korean Navy has confirmed that the Submarine will not take part in the Joint Exercise.

The United States, despite its own strained relations with China, has lately praised it ( china) for the’ positive role China has played in North Korea, particularly in trying to convince the reclusive State to give up further nuclear tests. It may be mentioned that China, being a traditional ally of North Korea and its chief source of trade, food and fuel, is among the few countries which has some influence over North Korea.

Though Beijing has said that it has “very limited influence over North Korea”, it has, nevertheless, warned the latter of serious consequences if Pyongyang were to conduct any more nuclear tests. The ruling Chinese Communist Party newspaper, The Global Times, went as far as to reiterate that, “All stake holders will bear the consequences, with Pyongyang sure to suffer the greatest losses.”

Beijing, in the meanwhile, is acutely aware of the fact that any hard line approach adopted by it might cause the collapse of the Kim Un-Jong regime, sending a stream of refugees into China and turning the whole of the Korean peninsula into an American base, posing a serious threat to China.

For the time being, the U.S is believed to be considering imposing additional sanctions on the recalcitrant regime, hoping that these might deter North Korea from reaching a point of no return. In the meantime, in a sign suggesting some thaw, even though a minor one, North Korea, for the first time, has agreed to host a UN Rights expert  on disabled people’s rights. It will be the first ever visit by a member of the UN Human Rights Council. It may be recalled that the world body has accused North Korea of detaining up to 120,000 people in brutal prison camps without trial.

After the recent visit of Chinese President, Xi Jing Ping, to America, the bitterness that had cropped into the relations between Trump administration and China, seems to have got diluted to a some extent.

The U.S, as a matter of fact, has been profuse in praising China for the latter’s role in moderating Pyongyang’s rigid stand on the continued testing of its nuclear weapons. There has been some softening of the U.S stand too, as is evident from the fact that the U.S has now expressed its willingness to engage North Korea in talks.

It is hoped that these talks will considerably lessen the nuclear threat looming large over the Korean Peninsula. However, till both countries do not give up their rigid stands, the area will continue to simmer. This will continue to pose a serious threat to the international peace.