Pyongyang must be penalized for missing deadline to disclose nuke info
(From The Japan Times Jan. 7 issue)

北朝鮮に厳しい対応を

North Korea missed the yearend deadline to declare its nuclear programs and facilities, and disable nuclear facilities at Yongbyon. Instead, it railed against the United States, demanding that it end its "hostile policies" toward North Korea. North Korea's prevarications are not reason enough yet to give up on the six-party talks. But all the other participants in the talks should make it clear that Pyongyang is expected to honor its obligations, and only then will they match "action for action."

Pyongyang missed two deadlines. The first concerns the disablement of its nuclear facilities. That process is under way — the Yongbyon reactor was shut down last summer — but it is taking longer than anticipated as a result of technical concerns about cooling fuel rods. The second requires a complete declaration of all nuclear activities, a crucial step since Pyongyang must declare all of its programs so that the rest of the world can have confidence that the Korean Peninsula has been denuclearized.

U.S. intelligence suspects North Korea of purchasing materials that can be used for uranium enrichment and cooperating with Syria. A failure to clarify both of these concerns could jeopardize the deal.

As always, Pyongyang is doing its best to divert attention, arguing that promised aid has not been delivered and that the United States is maintaining "hostile policies" that forced the North to develop its nuclear weapons. That tactic is working, with governments in Beijing, Seoul and Washington expressing understanding of the failure to meet the deadline.

Given North Korea's track record, delays and misdirection are to be expected. That does not mean that Pyongyang can be forgiven for failing to deliver on its declaration. Patience is essential, but that does not mean that violations of the terms of the agreement can be ignored. North Korean delays should be met with a similar slowdown from the other five parties. "Action for action" must continue to be the guiding principle when dealing with Pyongyang. That must be the clear message delivered by all of its negotiating partners.

北朝鮮は、6ヶ国協議の合意に基づき、年末までにすべての核計画の申告と核施設の無能力化を行うことになっていたが、約束を守らず、米国に対し「敵視政策」をやめるよう要求してきた。

北朝鮮は2点について期限を守らなかった。まず、寧辺の核施設を昨年夏に閉鎖したのだが、無能力化は遅れている。すべての核計画の申告も完全に行われていない。

北朝鮮は、約束された援助が実行されていない、米国が「敵対政策」を続けているなどと指摘するが、中韓米は北朝鮮の申告の遅れなどに理解を示している。しかし、北朝鮮が約束を守らないことは許せない。忍耐は重要だが、合意は守らねばならない。北朝鮮が合意実行を遅らすのなら、他の5ヵ国も同様にすべきであり、協議参加国はその点を明確にせねばならない。