Young leader must declare a halt to 5th test first
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reiterated previous claims during a rare ruling party congress that opened Friday, while showing no signs of change.
The young dictator made clear his country has no intention of giving up its nuclear program, saying, "We will boost our self-defensive nuclear force both in quality and quantity as a responsible nuclear weapons state.'' He advocated a policy of "not using nuclear weapons unless our sovereignty is threatened by another nuclear power and striving for global denuclearization.'' But his remarks are seen merely as rhetoric, considering their contradictory nature of possessing nuclear arms and pursuing denuclearization.
Kim proposed military talks between the two Koreas, saying such talks would reduce the possibility of an armed conflict on the border. But the sincerity of his proposal is also clearly in doubt, given that it has been made on the assumption that the North is a nuclear weapons state. All this implies is that Pyongyang will hold on to isolation, regression and control, while keeping its nuclear program intact. Experts say Kim is trying to shift from a "military-first'' to "nuclear-first'' policy.
Kim, who is believed to be 33, urged the United States to halt its hostile policy toward the North, replace the current armistice agreement with a peace treaty and pull American forces out of the Korean Peninsula ― all stereotypical comments. The underlying message is that Kim has no intention whatsoever to give up his nuclear arms.
On inter-Korean relations, Kim said improving the relationship was an urgent mission facing the two Koreas and asked Seoul to change its attitude toward Pyongyang. Yet the North's overture seems nothing more than propaganda that carries no sincerity, given its continuing nuclear threats.
In the congress, the reclusive state's biggest political event held for the first time in 36 years, he reconfirmed his "byeongjin'' doctrine of both economic and nuclear development. Kim unveiled a five-year economic plan to improve efficiency and output across key sectors. But this plan is certain to fall through, taking into account that his "byeongjin'' policy is another rejection of calls from the international community to give top priority to the North's moribund economy.
What is most disheartening is that the North has not shown any hint of reform and openness since the opening of the congress, let alone any specific moves to provide a clue to resolve the current nuclear gridlock.
One has to wonder why the impoverished regime in Pyongyang decided to hold the congress. There is no question that North Koreans will suffer greater pain as long as the young North Korean leader defies international sanctions and tries to build his personality cult to strengthen his power base.
What is needed urgently is for Kim to declare a halt to a fifth nuclear test, and to begin talks for denuclearization of the peninsula. The next step would be to look for ways to improve his people's livelihoods by gradually removing the self-imposed international isolation.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reiterated previous claims during a rare ruling party congress that opened Friday, while showing no signs of change.
The young dictator made clear his country has no intention of giving up its nuclear program, saying, "We will boost our self-defensive nuclear force both in quality and quantity as a responsible nuclear weapons state.'' He advocated a policy of "not using nuclear weapons unless our sovereignty is threatened by another nuclear power and striving for global denuclearization.'' But his remarks are seen merely as rhetoric, considering their contradictory nature of possessing nuclear arms and pursuing denuclearization.
Kim proposed military talks between the two Koreas, saying such talks would reduce the possibility of an armed conflict on the border. But the sincerity of his proposal is also clearly in doubt, given that it has been made on the assumption that the North is a nuclear weapons state. All this implies is that Pyongyang will hold on to isolation, regression and control, while keeping its nuclear program intact. Experts say Kim is trying to shift from a "military-first'' to "nuclear-first'' policy.
Kim, who is believed to be 33, urged the United States to halt its hostile policy toward the North, replace the current armistice agreement with a peace treaty and pull American forces out of the Korean Peninsula ― all stereotypical comments. The underlying message is that Kim has no intention whatsoever to give up his nuclear arms.
On inter-Korean relations, Kim said improving the relationship was an urgent mission facing the two Koreas and asked Seoul to change its attitude toward Pyongyang. Yet the North's overture seems nothing more than propaganda that carries no sincerity, given its continuing nuclear threats.
In the congress, the reclusive state's biggest political event held for the first time in 36 years, he reconfirmed his "byeongjin'' doctrine of both economic and nuclear development. Kim unveiled a five-year economic plan to improve efficiency and output across key sectors. But this plan is certain to fall through, taking into account that his "byeongjin'' policy is another rejection of calls from the international community to give top priority to the North's moribund economy.
What is most disheartening is that the North has not shown any hint of reform and openness since the opening of the congress, let alone any specific moves to provide a clue to resolve the current nuclear gridlock.
One has to wonder why the impoverished regime in Pyongyang decided to hold the congress. There is no question that North Koreans will suffer greater pain as long as the young North Korean leader defies international sanctions and tries to build his personality cult to strengthen his power base.
What is needed urgently is for Kim to declare a halt to a fifth nuclear test, and to begin talks for denuclearization of the peninsula. The next step would be to look for ways to improve his people's livelihoods by gradually removing the self-imposed international isolation.
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