Lee says North Korea must give up nukes

advertisement

WASHINGTON — South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said Wednesday that his nation and its allies will not be intimidated by nuclear threats from neighboring North Korea.

Lee and President Barack Obama have used the South Korean leader's three-day visit to Washington to display a unified front in the face of North Korea's threats of nuclear war and its vow to expand its nuclear programs. Tensions in Northeast Asia have risen sharply since the United Nations slapped the North with sanctions as punishment for its nuclear test last month.

The North responded to Lee's visit with a statement vowing "a one hundred- or one thousand-fold retaliation with merciless military strikes" for infringements on its sovereignty.

Lee told an audience at George Washington University, where he received an honorary degree, that South Korea would not allow nuclear weapons in North Korea under any circumstances. "North Korea continues to engage in belligerent activities, ... threatening peace and stability in Northeast Asia and beyond," Lee said.

But Lee also held out the possibility that a nuclear-free North Korea could gain peace and prosperity and normal relations with the outside world.

"North Korea must understand that it is in their best interests to fully give up their nuclear weapons ambitions," Lee said through an interpreter. "When North Korea takes meaningful steps toward peace and dialogue, Korea, as well as the rest of the international community, stands ready to extend a helping hand."

State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley told reporters Wednesday that the United States is now aggressively implementing U.N. sanctions. He urged the North to return to nuclear disarmament negotiations.

Asked about the possibility that the North was preparing for more missile tests, Crowley said, "I don't think anyone in the United States government has a crystal ball on why North Korea does what it does. Its behavior is provocative. It represents a threat to the region. We have grave concerns about the behavior of North Korea."

Crowley suggested that more North Korean entities could be added to a U.N. sanctions list.

At their White House meeting on Tuesday, Lee and Obama said they were united in their efforts to stop the North from using nuclear brinkmanship to squeeze concessions from a frightened world.

North Korea already has tested two underground nuclear devices and is believed by U.S. intelligence to possess enough material to make several nuclear bombs.

North Korea is furious over U.N. sanctions that toughen an arms embargo and authorize ship searches in an attempt to thwart the North's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The United Nations, however, did not authorize military force to compel the measures.

Obama said the leaders agreed that the new U.N. resolution must be fully enforced, something the North has said it would consider an act of war.

The North has responded to the U.N. sanctions by promising to weaponize all its plutonium and step up its nuclear bomb-making by enriching uranium. Both plutonium and uranium can be used to make atomic bombs. U.S. officials have said the North Koreans also appear to be making preparations for a third nuclear test.

On Wednesday, the government-run Minju Joson newspaper published a commentary saying, "If the U.S. and its followers infringe upon our republic's sovereignty even a bit, our military and people will launch a one hundred- or one thousand-fold retaliation with merciless military strikes."

Lee also pressed during his visit for quick ratification of a stalled U.S.-South Korean free trade agreement.

At a Tuesday dinner sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Lee urged representatives of top American companies to push for approval of a deal that he said would dramatically boost trade and strengthen the countries' alliance.

Obama, however, suggested that work still had to be done on the deal, which was signed in 2007 after painstaking negotiations but has since faced complications over disputes over autos and U.S. beef imports to Korea.

The agreement has been promoted as a potential $10 billion boon to the U.S. economy. Failure, supporters say, would threaten U.S. standing in an important region.

  • 22 Votes
  • Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.

Back To Top

What's this?
Who's leading the conversation?
This visualization below allows you to see the impact that each user has on the current conversation. The top row contains the group of users who have had the most impact, the 2nd row the group of users who have had the 2nd most impact (et cetera). Users with similar impact are grouped together, and the average score of the group is shown to the left of the group. The author of the article is also shown on the left, in their corresponding group. Each user's score is based on the number of comments the user has made plus the number of votes their comments have received. The scores are calculated relative one another, so while their absolute value is not particularly important, their relative difference does indicate a larger difference in impact on the conversation.
2.5
1.7
0.9
Jump to discussion page: 1 2
{"commentId":7679919,"authorDomain":"DaVoh"}

Nkorea is so far behind in weapons technology that it would be suicide for them to send missiles towards Seoul.

{"commentId":7679919,"threadId":"604697","contentId":"2935719","authorDomain":"DaVoh"}
  • 1 vote
Reply#26 - Tue Jun 16, 2009 5:04 PM EDT
{"commentId":7680145,"authorDomain":"steveman-82"}

I keep hearing that this could lead to WWIII. Everyone is speculating what kind of war it will turn out to be if anyone starts fighting N.Korea. I see it as more of a Cold War II. I don't think N. Korea is dumb enough to try anything, but they will sit on the edge of their seat acting as if they are ready to launch and waiting for someone to make the first move.

{"commentId":7680145,"threadId":"604697","contentId":"2935719","authorDomain":"steveman-82"}
  • 1 vote
Reply#27 - Tue Jun 16, 2009 5:13 PM EDT
{"commentId":7680937,"authorDomain":"BobbyBilly"}

While the world (western media)is focused on Iran and the electron the real threat to world peace (not Iran) is arming itself. If Americans think North Korea is playing a game they are wrong. North Korean leaders would destroy themself then lose power. The world had better pay attention.

{"commentId":7680937,"threadId":"604697","contentId":"2935719","authorDomain":"BobbyBilly"}
  • 1 vote
Reply#28 - Tue Jun 16, 2009 5:44 PM EDT
{"commentId":7681217,"authorDomain":"IndependentVoter"}

And just what should we do... exactly?

{"commentId":7681217,"threadId":"604697","contentId":"2935719","authorDomain":"IndependentVoter"}
  • 1 vote
#28.1 - Tue Jun 16, 2009 5:58 PM EDT
{"commentId":7681444,"authorDomain":"BobbyBilly"}

Good question! China has to be told they need to solve the problem. If they do not we will with South Korea put so many bombs on target it would make our Baghdad shock and awe look like a training session. If North Korea is not disarmed --- Japan, South Korea and the western part of the US will see a fire storm of nuclear fallout. What is stupid is for Americans to talk about this issue as partisan.

{"commentId":7681444,"threadId":"604697","contentId":"2935719","authorDomain":"BobbyBilly"}
  • 1 vote
#28.2 - Tue Jun 16, 2009 6:09 PM EDT
Reply
{"commentId":7682127,"authorDomain":"ahlersmeyer23"}

We haven't exactly been true to our word on NK.

We promised them two light-water reactors.

They never got them.

Light-water reactors are nuclear but almost impossible to use in making weapons.

But are great for energy.

{"commentId":7682127,"threadId":"604697","contentId":"2935719","authorDomain":"ahlersmeyer23"}
    Reply#29 - Tue Jun 16, 2009 6:42 PM EDT
    {"commentId":7682171,"authorDomain":"smokie453"}

    We have no nuclear problems to worry about. With regards to North Korea, President Jimmie Carter is finished with Hamas and wants them off the bad boy list. After talking to them he seemed to get everything settled. Now Carter has some free time, let's just send him over there. He will have this little problem with nukes finished up before dinner on Friday.

    {"commentId":7682171,"threadId":"604697","contentId":"2935719","authorDomain":"smokie453"}
      Reply#30 - Tue Jun 16, 2009 6:44 PM EDT
      {"commentId":7683173,"authorDomain":"IndependentVoter"}

      The North had been promised two light-water reactors for power under a 1994 disarmament deal with the U.S. Which included -

      •North Korea would freeze its existing nuclear program and agree to enhanced International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards

      •Both sides would cooperate to replace the D.P.R.K.'s graphite-moderated reactors for related facilities with light-water (LWR) power plants.

      •Both countries would move toward full normalization of political and economic relations.

      •Both sides will work together for peace and security on a nuclear-free Korean peninsula.

      •And that both sides would work to strengthen the international nuclear non-proliferation regime.

      On 22 April 1997, U.S. Defense Department spokesman Kenneth Bacon officially stated, "When the U.S.-North Korea nuclear agreement was signed in Geneva in 1994, the U.S. intelligence authorities already believed North Korea had produced plutonium enough for at least one nuclear weapon." This was the first time the United States confirmed North Korea's possession of plutonium.

      In October 2002, North Korean officials acknowledged the existence of a clandestine program to enrich uranium for nuclear weapons that is in violation of the Agreed Framework and other agreements.

      North Korea lied....and we knew they were lying and still we agreed.....go figure.

      {"commentId":7683173,"threadId":"604697","contentId":"2935719","authorDomain":"IndependentVoter"}
      • 1 vote
      Reply#31 - Tue Jun 16, 2009 7:30 PM EDT
      {"commentId":7683658,"authorDomain":"debjjdh"}

      Where did they lose the unicorns and rainbows??down the rabbit hole with Alice..and did anyone notice how much the mad hatter resembles Pelosi?

      {"commentId":7683658,"threadId":"604697","contentId":"2935719","authorDomain":"debjjdh"}
        Reply#32 - Tue Jun 16, 2009 7:52 PM EDT
        {"commentId":7683799,"authorDomain":"mimacarol"}

        Did he just figure out that North Korea is a "grave threat?" Did he just figure out that they don't want to have graham crackers and lemonade with him? Better yet, did he figure it out or did someone tell him?

        {"commentId":7683799,"threadId":"604697","contentId":"2935719","authorDomain":"mimacarol"}
          Reply#33 - Tue Jun 16, 2009 7:59 PM EDT
          {"commentId":7685477,"authorDomain":"jopocop"}

          For 50 years Korea has in reality been a constant grave threat, and yet, they have not done anything really super militarily since the Korean War armistice. They just like to agitate and seek favorable deals, with the net effect of showing to their people they are doing wonderful things to fight back against Western imperialism and corrupt capitalism.

          These commies in NK really believe that communism is the best thing going, not only for them, but for the entire world. They really like the fact that they can mobilize and project military threats, to show that communism stands for strong defense and power in the world.

          They feel that in a capitalistic world, they would not need any big military authority or might. But, when they do down this communist road, they can try to scare everyone, which by itself is what military power is all about.

          There military power is an end and a means, all at the same time.

          Actually fighting a war, well, that is another thing. They are smart enough to know that it would be suicide for them to start a war, or to just get pushed into any war. It is curtains for them, including criminal trials for crimes against humanity. The leaders would not like to see themselves being lynched up like Saddam Hussein on the gallows. They are too smart for that.

          The object here is to build up more military might, extend the power and intimidations, and gain something for themselves and their citizens in the process. They want to hang around another 50 years and longer if they can get away with it.

          {"commentId":7685477,"threadId":"604697","contentId":"2935719","authorDomain":"jopocop"}
            Reply#34 - Tue Jun 16, 2009 9:39 PM EDT
            {"commentId":7685795,"authorDomain":"paulduncan05"}

            Now that Obama thinks North Korea is a threat, there a threat.  So what.... What is Hillary and Obamie going to do?  A nuclear bomb is not a firecracker and if these nut jobs lite one off.............

            {"commentId":7685795,"threadId":"604697","contentId":"2935719","authorDomain":"paulduncan05"}
              Reply#35 - Tue Jun 16, 2009 9:57 PM EDT
              {"commentId":7685997,"authorDomain":"mimacarol"}

              If they do, he can always blame Bush.

              {"commentId":7685997,"threadId":"604697","contentId":"2935719","authorDomain":"mimacarol"}
                #35.1 - Tue Jun 16, 2009 10:09 PM EDT
                Reply
                {"commentId":7688403,"authorDomain":"Lakes"}

                We found 'em! The weapons of mass destruction are in North Korea!

                Call Bush!

                {"commentId":7688403,"threadId":"604697","contentId":"2935719","authorDomain":"Lakes"}
                  Reply#36 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 12:43 AM EDT
                  {"commentId":7688569,"authorDomain":"floyd304"}

                  This is one of those rare occasions that I feel justifies total elimination. Give the innocents enough time to "get the hell out of dodge", and then consider everyone else the enemy. Obama is right on one instance. North Korea is a HUGE threat to the entire world. They have always thumbed their noses at the US and the UN. This is an issue that needs to be dealt with swiftly and completely. If not, I fear a global catastrophe. If China would join forces with the US and move directly into the center of the country and take charge, the problem would cease to exist. NK is incappable of controling themselves when it comes to Nuclear technology. They have a sick sense of experimentation that I greatly fear will be used against innocents in another country or even a city in their own country. All this coddeling, threats of sanctions, and diplomacy will NOT work for them. They need to be attacked now before the threat turns into assault. Quit being a p*ssy Obama and get the job done!!

                  {"commentId":7688569,"threadId":"604697","contentId":"2935719","authorDomain":"floyd304"}
                    Reply#37 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 12:54 AM EDT
                    {"commentId":7689667,"authorDomain":"jopocop"}

                    Hey, a good idea. We could park off of the coast of NK a bunch of empty cruise ships, and tell the NK people to swim out to the ships and get a free ride to new places in the world.

                    Better yet, lets give these refugees some uniforms, guns, and training, and have them return home someday and liberate these backward people living in an insane asylum.

                    {"commentId":7689667,"threadId":"604697","contentId":"2935719","authorDomain":"jopocop"}
                      #37.1 - Wed Jun 17, 2009 2:50 AM EDT
                      {"commentId":7713167,"authorDomain":"floyd304"}

                      Um...there is a South Korea to go to jobomo

                      {"commentId":7713167,"threadId":"604697","contentId":"2935719","authorDomain":"floyd304"}
                        #37.2 - Thu Jun 18, 2009 3:46 AM EDT
                        Reply
                        {"commentId":7767147,"authorDomain":"Lakes"}

                        Walk softly...but where is the big stick?

                        {"commentId":7767147,"threadId":"604697","contentId":"2935719","authorDomain":"Lakes"}
                          Reply#38 - Sun Jun 21, 2009 10:48 AM EDT
                          Jump to discussion page: 1 2
                          {"canLink":false,"threadId":"604697","isPrivate":false}
                          Leave a Comment:
                          You're in Easy Mode. If you prefer, you can use XHTML Mode instead.
                          As a new user, you may notice a few temporary content restrictions. Click here for more info.
                          {"threadId":"604697","contentId":"2935719"}
                          Start TrackingStart Tracking
                          Stop TrackingStop Tracking