[The Telegraph, U.K.]

The Daily North Korea, South Korea

Regime Change is the Only Solution for North Korea

"Pyongyang will never give up its nuclear weapons and long-range missiles. Kim Jong-il believes that there is nothing more valuable to be gained by relinquishing them … the correct way forward, even though it is a tough road, is to concentrate on changing the North Korean regime."

By Kim Young Hwan, Editorial Writer

May 27, 2009

South Korea - The Daily North Korea - Original Article (English)

In the end, what we all feared has come to pass.

On May 8, North Korea's Foreign Minister said that since the Obama Administration came into office, “it has become clear that there has been no change in [Washington's] hostile policy toward North Korea. We will therefore further strengthen our nuclear deterrent.” From that moment, many predicted that Pyongyang would carry out a second nuclear test around June or July of this year.

The North Korean authorities conducted their second nuclear test in Poongkye-ri near Kilju, North Hamkyung Province on Monday [10:54pm Sunday EST] at 9:54am. The Blue House immediately reported sensing an “artificial earthquake” measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale.

Right after South Korea registered the temblor, the Chosun [Korean] Central News Agency announced, “The Republic successfully conducted a second underground nuclear test on May 25, 2009 as part of measures to strengthen its nuclear self-defenses.”

This nuclear test was enabled by the fact that the interests of the United States, Japan, China and Russia do not coincide, which hindered efforts to find appropriate tools and sanctions to pressure and punish the North.

Many experts interpret this second nuclear test as a way for the North to manipulate the situation and gain additional concessions from the other nations taking part in the Six-Party Talks. Others believe that North the test was an attempt to agitate for bilateral talks with the United States.

In any case, from the point of view of the North Korean authorities, establishing a “strong and prosperous state” is the most urgent task - and the basis for creating it are nuclear weapons and the long-range missiles with which to convey them.

North Korea has been pursuing nuclear weapons since the Kim Il-sung period - in other words, for the past three decades. There is therefore little doubt that the Pyongyang regime considers nuclear weapons to be the most valuable things it possesses.

Some ask, “What problems can the North resolve by virtue of developing nuclear weapons?” According to many defectors who were senior North Korean officials, from Kim Jong-il's perspective, the most frightful thought is an attack by South Korea, the U.S. or China. Kim believes the most effective way to block such an eventuality is to possess nuclear weapons and long-range missiles.

   [The Times, U.K.]

Furthermore, North Korea has is preparing to declare the successful building of a "strong and prosperous state" in 2012, the 100th anniversary of Kim Il-sung's birth. Before the event, North Korea wants to upgrade its nuclear weapons arsenal and long-range missiles.

So while North Korea won't completely stay away from unconditional talks with other nations, including the U.S., such negotiations will only be for the purpose of running down the clock and to show its guardian China that North Korea is doing its best.

Pyongyang will never give up its nuclear weapons and long-range missiles. Kim Jong-il believes that there is nothing more valuable to be gained by relinquishing them. North Korea has long held this attitude, so we shouldn't be surprised by current events, nor should we act precipitously. We should react calmly.

After all, we have seen countless cases like the shooting incident at Mt. Geumgang and the detention of Mr. Yoo or the affair surrounding the closing of the Kaesong Industrial Complex. There is nothing surprising emerging from the North Korean authorities. We learned long ago that to try and predict the behavior of North Korea is very, very foolish.

I suggest that the correct way forward, even though it is a tough road, is to concentrate on changing the North Korean regime - and let go of any fruitless expectations.

[Posted by WORLDMEETS.US May 27, 6:31pm]