| The days of a non-nuclear Korean peninsula are | | | | should impose the toughest of sanctions and |
| over. With troops from the United States bogged | | | | work with our allies to allow for massive refugee |
| down in Iraq and ineffective multilateral talks with | | | | transportation out of North Korea. At this point, |
| North Korea, the world is on track for another | | | | deadlines should be drawn up for an international |
| major disaster. | | | | force to work together in removing this dictator |
| So, what can be done to confront this nuclear | | | | from power if president Kim Jong-il does not |
| threat? | | | | comply and agree to dismantle his nuclear |
| The current situation can not be addressed by | | | | program. |
| the United States alone. It is my fear that the | | | | If you do not believe that a solution similar to the |
| Republican majority in all branches of U.S. | | | | one I have just discussed then I would invite you |
| government will continue with the typical and | | | | to focus more on the consequences of not taking |
| ineffective go-it-alone strategy that has not won | | | | action. Iran is watching world events very |
| us the key support needed in protect our | | | | carefully right now. If they seek weak |
| international interests. The international community | | | | international resolve and come away from this |
| is the only body capable of effectively handling | | | | scenario with the conclusion that North Korea has |
| the North Korean situation which has now | | | | in fact strengthened its global position, then what |
| developed into a global problem. | | | | is to stop them from developing nuclear |
| Global issues need to be met by the global | | | | weapons? Iran would probably target Israel and |
| community. This does not mean that the United | | | | North Korea would likely make a hit on South |
| States can not lead the way. Obviously, there will | | | | Korea. |
| always be the need for someone to take the | | | | In regards to a potential North Korean attack on |
| initiative, but it has to be done in a way that does | | | | South Korea, we already know that underground |
| not isolate us from the other global players and | | | | tunnels have been discovered to be dug deep into |
| delay effective resolution. | | | | South Korean territory. The scary thing to note is |
| First, in a global economy, it is necessary for | | | | that millions of people live in the capital of Seoul, |
| voters in the upcoming election to cast their | | | | South Korea, which is not very from the border |
| votes to bring a more Democratic balance into | | | | with the north. If it is already assumed that some |
| the make-up of our current govenment. | | | | tunnels have not yet been discovered, what is to |
| Democrats would be more effective in diplomacy | | | | stop North Korea from detonating a nuclear |
| and can speak the international tongue. Whether | | | | weapon right under the heels of a major South |
| you agree with their policies and beliefs or not, | | | | Korean city such as Seoul? This would cause |
| they are more likely to restore trust and a sense | | | | millions of people to suffer a horrific death. |
| of humanity to our foreign agenda. | | | | Another possibility to ponder is North Korea's |
| Second, if the international community is the | | | | capability to transport weapons of mass |
| channel of tough sanctions, China is the key. The | | | | destruction to our enemies whether it is Al |
| country of China is an emerging dominate player | | | | Qaeda, Iran, Syria, etc. |
| in the Asian region and is also responsible for | | | | Right now, the United States needs to continue its |
| trade that equates to roughly 50% of North | | | | focus on immediate action in line with the |
| Korea's energy and food imports. If China does | | | | international community, while at the same time |
| not accept its new international role in a | | | | researching preventative technologies that could |
| responsible fashion, then the world will continue in | | | | strengthen our defenses within our own national |
| its struggle to suppress renegade dictatorships. | | | | borders. We have been warned, not the next |
| Finally, North Korea has already been warned in | | | | question is whether or not we have what it takes |
| their efforts to develop nuclear capabilities, but | | | | to lead the international community and finally get |
| apparently decided not to listen. I believe we | | | | something right. |