UN Security Council incensed at missile tests
THE UN Security Council is threatening to impose trade sanctions against North Korea, after another claimed nuclear missile test on Monday - even though no-one outside North Korea is sure if the test ever happened.
Japan and South Korea are already becoming increasingly more worried, as North Korea has tested missiles that have barely missed its neighbours on several previous occasions. Sanctions have already been imposed to starve North Korea of wealth, but several analysts, particularly in South Korea, do not think this will be enough.
Nonetheless, further trade blockades have been imposed - trade with Japan alone has fallen 85%, to just $195m after this latest crackdown. Furthermore, the Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, has used the crisis as an excuse to try and alter the Japanese constitution, which forbids Japan to have a proper army, or to engage in full-on combat. Meanwhile, Russia and South Korea are threatening to take military action unless Kim Jong Il backs down over his nuclear programme.
No-one doubts that the wrangling is unlikely to end any time soon. With the wrangling continuing, and many saying that sanctions will not be enough, a resolution looks distant for now, and probably will do for some time.
Nonetheless, further trade blockades have been imposed - trade with Japan alone has fallen 85%, to just $195m after this latest crackdown. Furthermore, the Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, has used the crisis as an excuse to try and alter the Japanese constitution, which forbids Japan to have a proper army, or to engage in full-on combat. Meanwhile, Russia and South Korea are threatening to take military action unless Kim Jong Il backs down over his nuclear programme.
No-one doubts that the wrangling is unlikely to end any time soon. With the wrangling continuing, and many saying that sanctions will not be enough, a resolution looks distant for now, and probably will do for some time.