by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright December 25, 2002
All Rights Reserved.

humbing its nose at the world community, North Korea defied the International Atomic Energy Agency, dismantling surveillance cameras and busting locks on its extensive Yongbyon nuclear reprocessing plant, housing 8,000 spent nuclear fuel rods capable of producing weapons grade plutonium. Vienna-based IAEA saw powerful signs that Pyongyang resuscitated its atomic weapons program, living up to its billing as a dangerous wing of Bush's "axis of evil." Raising the specter of nuclear war, Secretary of State Donald H. Rumsfeld briefed the press about recent developments, telling reporters the U.S. could fight and win a war on two fronts—namely, Iraq and North Korea. "It would be a mistake," said Rumsfeld for North Korea to believe the U.S. couldn't win a war on two fronts. "We're capable of winning decisively in one [theater] and swiftly defeating in the case of the other," said Rumsfeld, "Let there be not mistake."

      North Korea's reclusive dictator Kim Jong Il is now playing a dangerous game of chicken only one month after Spanish and U.S. authorities intercepted a Korean freighter bound for Yemen with an illicit cargo of Scud missiles. Under U.S. law, the military was well within its rights to confiscate offensive weapons headed for enemy hands. Restarting its nuclear weapons programs threatens the strategic balance in Northeast Asia. With over 1.2 million troops, 1,700 aircraft, and 12,000 artillery systems, North Korea presents a potentially greater danger than Iraq, especially ramping up its Yongbyon nuclear reprocessing plant. Within six months, North Korea could manufacture enough weapons grade plutonium to build several atomic bombs. "This is every bit as important as Iraq . . ." said IAEA director general Mohammed El Baradei, characterizing the situation as "rapidly deteriorating."

      Playing nuclear powerbroker, North Korea telegraphed an unambiguous message, warning the White House that its policies are leading to an "uncontrolled catastrophe" and pushing the world to the "brink of nuclear war." Beginning repair work on Yongbyon's nuclear reactor, Pyongyang seeks concessions, after the Bush administration cut off energy supplies to the communist regime. "We will not give in to blackmail," said State Department spokesman Phil Reeker, reacting to North Korea's moves to reactivate its nuclear reprocessing plant. While no fuel rods have been removed, North Korea still plays the nuclear "card," intimidating the U.S. into making concessions. According to North's defense minister Kim II Choi, U.S. hawks were "pushing the situation on the Korean peninsula to the brink of a nuclear war." More troubling than Iraq, North Korea openly touts its nuclear capability.

      Rumsfeld's warnings remind North Korea that the U.S. won't ignore or tolerate gathering nuclear threats. While North Korea hasn't yet attacked U.S. interests, getting atomic bombs changes the delicate strategic balance on the Korean Peninsula. Over the Christmas recess, Secretary of State Colin A. Powell spoke with foreign minister from Japan, Russia, China, South Korea, Britain and France. "We've made it very clear we want a peaceful resolution to the situation . . ." said White House spokesman Scott McCormack, trying to tone down the Defense Department's rhetoric. It's North Korea's secret uranium enrichment program that troubles the White House, not its older power plant that inadvertently creates plutonium. While the British don't see North Korea as an immediate threat, the fact that they're peddling Scud missiles to rogue nations is reason for concern. With a prolific arms industry, Pyongyang can't be ignored.

      What concerns U.S. officials is North Korea's brazen admission in October that they intend to violate a 1994 agreement with the Clinton administration to shut down the Yongbyon reactor, its fuel rod fabrication plant and reprocessing facility used exclusively for making weapons grade uranium. "This rapidly deteriorating situation in the DPRK [North Korea] raises grave nonproliferation concerns," said Mohammed El Baradei, head of the IAEA. While North Korea claims they need energy, their secret uranium enrichment program has only one goal—to build nuclear bombs. Incoming South Korean president Roh Moo-hyun sought help from Russia, Japan and China to help resolve the situation peacefully. Like other rogue nations feverishly pursuing nuclear weapons, the best hope for negotiation is before they possess nuclear bombs. Despite a formidable military, North Korea can't build atomic bombs with impunity.

      Heading on a collision course, the White House can't ignore North Korea's brazen venture into atomic bombing making. Turning over Scud missiles to Yemen set a dangerous precedent, giving Pyongyang the green light to broker deadly weapons to terrorist regimes. With the U.S. about to face off with Iraq, it can't turn a blind eye to the most dangerous wing of the "axis of evil," whether or not North Korea currently threatens national security. Allowing North Korea to build nuclear bombs destabilizes Northeast Asia and throws a monkey wrench into the war on terrorism. "They are acting in a hasty and obnoxious manner," said Song Young Sun, a North Korean defense expert with the Seoul-based Korea Institute for Defense, implying that Pyongyang was squeezing the U.S. at a vulnerable time. Whatever North Korea wants, they can't blackmail the U.S. by threatening to build atomic bombs—now or ever.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's a consultant and expert in strategic communication. He's author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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