How to Deal With a Dictator

North Korea’s recent nuclear test is the regime’s latest act of dangerous defiance. This time around, a new, tougher response is needed.

ROBERT JOSEPH

Once again the Dear Leader has defied the international community with a nuclear test—this time reportedly successful and with a yield that some assess to be equal to that of the bomb that destroyed Hiroshima and ended the Second World War. Once again, headlines around the globe have recorded the condemnation by world leaders. Once again, the Security Council has convened in emergency session to deal with this “grave threat to peace and security.” Once again, the American president has led the chorus, stressing the recklessness of Pyongyang’s action and warning that this provocation will lead to further isolation. Once again, there is talk of “pressuring” North Korea and ensuring that there are “consequences,” but with few specifics offered. And once again, all are agreed, the solution lies in re-convening the Six Party Talks, the negotiating forum created by the Bush Administration to bring together the United States, China, Russia, Japan, and the two Koreas with the goal of eliminating the North’s nuclear programs.

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Associated Press

A North Korean soldier looks out from the border village of Panmunjom that separates North and South Korea.