UN Dithers, North Korea Blusters

Bruce Klingner / April 15, 2009

After a week of intense deliberations over North Korea’s missile launch, the UN Security Council (UNSC) opened its doors and emitted a mighty roar…of a mouse. The UNSC’s failure to defend its resolutions against Pyongyang’s unambiguous violation bodes ill for diplomatic efforts to prevent proliferation and denuclearize North Korea. China’s willingness to derail the international push to punish North Korea for its transgression should lay to rest perceptions of Beijing as a “responsible stakeholder.” It is also a stark reminder of the need for US missile defense at a time when the Obama Administration is cutting its budget.

Despite Pyongyang’s blatant violation of UN Resolutions 1695 and 1718, the UNSC only approved a non-binding presidential statement reiterating its “demand” for North Korean compliance. The statement timidly calls for all UN member states to actually implement the sanctions they were already required to do under the two resolutions. (more…)