North Korea’s latest antics regarding a missile launch demand a global response

There has not been much improvement since 2002 when President George W. Bush declared the rogue nation of North Korea a key line in an “Axis of Evil” threatening global security through irresponsible development of nuclear weaponry.

If anything, the threat posed by the megalomaniacal regime of Kim Jong Un has grown only more dangerous to the security of East Asia and the entire free world over the past 14 years.

Just last month, North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test 30 miles northwest of Kilju City, triggering earthquakes detected by the U.S. Geological Service. Just this week, North Korea notified United Nations agencies of its plans to launch a satellite this month, which could advance the isolated country’s development of long-range missile technology. Many analysts suspect the launch is designed to fit nuclear warheads to missiles, thus giving the nation the capability to commence nuclear strikes against its wealth of enemies, most notably South Korea, Japan and the United States.

Global outrage

As a result, the tolerance of the international law-abiding world rightfully has worn thin. For its part, the United States is correct in joining a growing chorus of global outrage against Kim’s delusions of power.

Once again, the U.S. is calling out North Korea’s plans as irresponsible and provocative, and Congress is preparing to approve a new and tougher set of economic sanctions against the rogue state.

The U.N. Security Council “strongly condemned” last month’s apparent test, describing it as a “clear threat to international peace and security.” The body also is weighing its options for more serious punitive actions.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is correctly appealing for tougher worldwide punishments against the Pyongyang government.

“More significant and impactful sanctions were put in place against Iran, which did not have a nuclear weapon then against North Korea, which does,” he argued during a recent visit to China to encourage that nation, one of North Korea’s few allies in the world, to adopt a get-tough demeanor against Kim’s government.

Instead, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged diplomatic initiatives. “Sanctions should not be the purpose itself, and the North Korean nuclear issue should be addressed through dialogue and negotiations, which are the only solution.”

In theory, Wang’s proposal looks noble. In the real world, however, numerous attempts to stimulate serious multilateral discussions with the Kim regime have never reached square one.

In the meantime, the U.S. and the rest of the world cannot afford to sit idly by for any worst-case destructive scenarios. To his credit, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter has ordered the U.S. military to keep a more vigilant eye on North Korea’s nuclear programs and to expand our defenses against a possible missile attack by Pyongyang.

Multipronged strategy

Clearly, the long-standing quagmire in North Korea under the uncompromising leadership of Kim Jong Un is not destined to end anytime soon. That’s why it is incumbent for the world community to unite under a coherent multi-pronged strategy that includes heightened and more-crippling sanctions, vigilant oversight of the North’s moves to strengthen its nuclear program, foresighted strategies to ensure missile defense systems are in place and on- going appeals for diplomatic settlements.

That last task, alas, looks almost impossible given the intransigence of Kim. But stranger things have happened.

Iran, also once a firm plank on Bush’s Axis of Evil, has taken its first baby steps to rid itself of the shameful image it shared with North Korea.

And though it is far too early to tell whether last year’s nuclear deal will reap long-term security and success, it has started out with positive signs of compliance and a thawing of tensions between Iran and the Western world. The Kim regime would be wise to consider that same course of action as a path out of the isolation and shame it has duly earned from the bulk of the civilized world.