North Korean incident offers more signs of danger

North Korean incident offers more signs of danger

Miami Herald: Once again, the communist government in North Korea has chosen to call attention to itself by its bizarre behavior.

The sentencing of American journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling to 12 years in prison by a court in North Korea is part of its tiresome pattern of taking provocative actions in hopes of reaping a tangible benefit for the country’s communist leaders.

Ms. Lee and Ms. Ling have become international pawns at a time when North Korea is engaged in a dangerous standoff with the United States and other countries over its nuclear weapons arsenal and a series of reckless missile tests. The timing suggests that Pyongyang is deliberately creating an international incident to gain leverage with its adversaries.

The journalists, who were working for former Vice President Al Gore’s Current TV, a cable media outlet, were arrested March 17 by guards near the China-North Korea border and held practically incommunicado for nearly three months. They were then tried and convicted in secret proceedings on charges of illegally crossing the border and committing an unspecified “grave crime.”

No good alternative

The court’s verdict cannot be appealed. That means the only possibility for freedom is to deal with the government.

Despite this outrageous behavior, the Obama administration has correctly refrained from name-calling and finger-pointing in hopes of securing the release of the two women by diplomacy. No need to make matters worse if the women can win their freedom without significant delay.

Some believe the point of the exercise is for North Korea to negotiate with a high-ranking U.S. envoy in order to enhance its own self-importance — and to warn foreigners to stay away from its borders.

The Obama administration should not impede a negotiated release if one is possible, but it should likewise refrain from taking actions that North Korea would regard as a reward for its provocative behavior. There’s already been too much of that over the years.

This incident should serve to confirm North Korea’s status as a rogue nation.

It will not modify its behavior unless the international community unites to condemn its activities and imposes sanctions that will make its supreme leader, Kim Jong-Il, think twice before acting out again.