On Saturday, North Korea conducted its latest missile test. The missile travelled straight up to an altitude of over 1,300 miles and then fell down, travelling only 489 miles from the North Korean coast. Does not sound like much of a threat, right? Think again. For years, North Korea has been trying to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile, and many experts believe that this was a test to see how a nuclear-tipped warhead would travel once it re-enters the earth's atmosphere. If the missile flew a normal trajectory, many believe that the missile would have travelled 3,000 miles, well within striking distance of Alaska, Guam, India, and other wide swath of territories in South East Asia.
We also know that this will not be the last missile test. With every missile test (whether it is successful or not), North Korea learns a bit more about missile technology. Many believe that North Korea already has many nuclear weapons (around 12-20 missiles) with more on the way. With a crazy young dictator who is not afraid to kill his own family member with a chemical weapon in a busy airport, who knows what North Korea is capable of next.
So what are we to do?
So what should we do to 'take care' of the North Korean threat? Launch a preemptive military strike? Take out their leadership? Before we get carried away, we need to remember history to know what types of consequences can occur. The Korean War of 1953 took the lives of 2.5 million people, and the North has 1 million soldiers with thousands of artillery pieces ready to bring down fire and chaos on Seoul, one of the most densely populated city in the world with 25 million people. Yes, the North has obsolete weapons and tanks. But they can still kill millions before they can be all taken out. If a military conflict is not the answer (for now), I think the world needs to step up and do the following three things NOW.
Punish those who are supporting North Korea to develop missile and nuclear weapons technology. Iran has been suspected of helping the North by sending advisors and scientists, as well as sharing nuclear material. Instead of striking a deal with Iran, the U.S. and its allies should come down hard and make it extremely painful financially to continue doing business with North Korea. This should also serve as a warning for anyone else.
Make them taste their own medicine: North Korea is known to be active on cyber attacks. Many now believe that North Korea was behind the ransomware virus attack last week that has affected many countries. 2014 hacking of Sony's database is also supposedly a North Korean job. It's high time for others to do the same to North Korea, and in the process, try to cripple or at least slow down their nuclear programs.
Improve missile defenses: it will only be a matter of time before North Korea gets it right with missile and nuclear technology. Japan should also ask for the U.S. THAAD missile interceptors (South Korea just got them). The U.S. should immediately expand its missile defense presence in Alaska (to defend the U.S. mainland). Australia, India and other South East Asian countries should follow suit. If Kim Jong Un feels that his own survival is threatened, there is absolutely no way of knowing who he will attack (yes, I am also looking at you China!)
What are your thoughts about the best ways to respond to the threat posed by North Korea? I am curious to find out so please reply with your ideas and let us share our insights. Thanks for reading!
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