North Korea: The Least Undesirable Solution

North Korea: Encouraging Wisdom

North Korea continues to advance its nuclear weapons program and its missile technology. Negotiations are the only realistic solution to these problems. Military action would cause catastrophic damage and loss of lives. Continuing on the current path will allow North Korea to increase its arsenal of weapons.

Today, one of the most critical potential threat posed by North Korea’s nuclear program is the sale of the technology or weapons to ISIS or Al Qaeda or some other terrorist organization. Terrorist organizations have the capacity to smuggle bombs into Mexico and use a drone to deliver them to cities in the southwestern part of the United States. It would be even easier for terrorists to use a drone to drop a bomb in Israel. Drones that can carry 2,000 pounds are now available on the international market. A 2,000-pound nuclear bomb can produce an explosive force of one million tons of TNT.

The risk of an attack on the U.S. from a location in Mexico underscores the importance of a strong relationship with Mexico. Anything less could compromise national security.

To mitigate risks, negotiations with North Korea are the only viable solution. Currently, the precondition of U.S. negotiations with North Korea is the elimination of North Korea’s nuclear arsenal. This precondition is a non-starter for North Korea. Kim Jung-un believes his nuclear weapons are necessary for the survival of his regime. Having observed the demise of Saddam Hussein and Muammar Gaddafi after they gave up their nuclear weapon program, he will not relinquish his nuclear weapons.

To get all parties to the negotiating table, there cannot be any preconditions. A potential outcome from such negotiations might include:

1. North Korea agrees to freeze its nuclear and missile programs.
2. North Korea allows inspections by the IAEA.
3. North Korea agrees to ban the export nuclear weapons, materials and technology.
4. U.S. agrees to cease regime change plans and rhetoric.
5. U.S. and U.N. agree to phase out sanctions as compliance is verified.
6. U.S. agrees to a gradual reduction of its presence in the Korean Peninsula.

While this type of negotiated settlement is not ideal from either the American perspective or the North Korean perspective, it is better than a devastating war and better than allowing North Korea to increase its arsenal of nuclear weapons.

Norman Cousins, author, professor and editor of the Saturday Review wrote, “Wisdom consists of the anticipation of consequences.” Let’s encourage wisdom.