The US decision to focus on fighting with North Korea appears to have been a mistake, a senior fellow at a Washington-based think tank said after the reclusive nation conducted four missile tests. in a month.
Our President Joe Biden Anthony Ruggiero of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies said “opted in only”. “That’s his policy in 2021. He doesn’t even sanction any North Korean nuclear missile program in 2021.”
“It turned out to be a mistake now, because as you said today’s fourth missile test. And I’m sure there will be many more, as you noted, we’re not even halfway there yet. month,” he told CNBC. “Asian street signs” in Monday.
State news agency KCNA reported that two tactical guided missiles were fired on Monday, adding that they “hit exactly one target which is an island in the South China Sea by South Korea.”
“The Institute of Defense Science confirms the accuracy, security and effectiveness of the weapon system’s operation under production,” KCNA said.
The presidential office in South Korea said North Korea’s repeated missile launches were an “extremely regrettable situation”.
Japan’s Defense Ministry estimated that the rockets landed outside the country’s exclusive economic zone and strongly condemned the launches, NBC News reported.
‘Atrophy’ sanctions on North Korea
The United States did not react strongly despite North Korea’s multiple rocket launches in 2021, said Ruggiero.
“When you allow sanctions to ease, and you don’t respond to the ballistic missile launches that take place in the fall, I think [North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s] The response was, “Well, I guess these are fine,” he said.
“Now, the Biden administration has said ‘No, that’s not okay. “
United States last week announced sanctions against eight people and entities for their work in developing weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile-related programs for Pyongyang. It follows at least two known ballistic missile tests by North Korea.
“I think it’s a good start,” Ruggiero said. “But there’s much, much more work they need to do.”
He said previous US administrations made the mistake of viewing negotiations with North Korea as an achievement. “It’s not,” he added.
Mr. Ruggiero said Biden could increase pressure and impose sanctions when North Korea tests a missile, even while negotiations are ongoing.
He also said that the two sides appear to be far from engaged. “
North Korea is trying to set a trap for the Biden administration.
Leif-Eric Easley
Professor at Ewha University
Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, on Friday said North Korea should receive humanitarian assistance once it is ready to re-engage, but its threats should not be recognized internationally. receive or mitigate punishment.
“North Korea is trying to set a trap for the Biden administration. Anyway, it has a long line of missiles it wants to test and is responding to US pressure with other provocations in an effort to prolong the concessions. ministry,” he said in an email after North Korea’s third launch this month.
Calls North Korea ‘bluff’
Pyongyang has little room for escalation because of internal challenges and the need for restraint during the Beijing Winter Olympics, Easley said.
“Washington and its allies should call the Kim regime a bluff by strengthening US-ROK-Japan security cooperation and strengthening the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions,” he said.
US Indo-Pacific Command said recent missile launches “highlight the destabilizing impact of North Korea’s illegal weapons program,” Refers to North Korea by its official name, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
“The US commitment to the defense of South Korea and Japan remains void,” it added.
