Gov't should focus on how to end N. Korea crisis

The White House said on Saturday, “We are prepared for all diplomatic, economic and military measures to end North Korea’s threat against the U.S. and allies.” U.S. President Donald Trump retweeted on the day the U.S. Pacific Command’s message that B-1B Lancer strategic bombers, which make sorties from the Anderson Airforce Base in Guam, are prepared for combat mission and is only waiting for order. The B-1B Lancer aircraft can stage operation on the Korean Peninsula within two hours after takeoff from the Guam airbase. Amid such a pressing situation, U.S. Military Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford, who arrived in South Korea on Sunday, will meet with President Moon Jae-in on Monday. They will cover military option in their discussion as well.

Soon after President Trump tweeted on Saturday that military solutions were locked and loaded, Chinese President Xi Jinping called the U.S. leader and demanded calm saying, “Relevant parties should exercise restraint and avoid words and actions that would escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula.” However, President Trump informed the Chinese leader of Washington’s investigation into China’s suspected violation of intellectual property rights, and expressed discontent about Beijing’s lukewarm response to Pyongyang’s provocations. As China is effectively the only county in the world that can cool off the crisis in the current phase, China should apply strong pressure on North Korea and stop North Korean leader Kim Jong Un from pursuing his nuclear ambitions. If needed, President Xi should send a special envoy to Pyongyang and convey his resolute determination to Pyongyang. China should keep in mind that if an unfortunate armed conflict occurs on the Korean Peninsula, it could face a situation wherein it comes to directly border with the U.S. military and should take a more proactive role in resolving the crisis.

It is uncertain whether North Korea will actually fire missiles towards Guam, because Pyongyang will have to risk massive damage it could incur due to the U.S.’ retaliation. Nonetheless, President Trump and Kim Jong Un, who are among the most unpredictable figures in the world, are driving Northeast Asia into serious tension. More than anything, sense of fear is escalating among the (South) Korean people. Suggesting that Washington focus on China diplomacy to resolve the North Korean nuclear crisis, former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger stressed, “No other country is more directly linked to the situation than South Korea. South Korea should raise voice.” Tuesday marks the 72nd anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule. President Moon is urged to present diagnosis on the current situation and ways to resolve the crisis and lead the South Korean public to unite in times of crisis in his Liberation Day speech.