North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has accused the U.S. of forming a NATO-like military bloc in the region, warning of dire consequences. He vowed to expand and modernize North Korea’s nuclear arsenal in response to growing alliances between the U.S., South Korea, and Japan.

Kim Jong Un warns US over military bloc plans in Asia

The 30-year US effort to compel North Korea to give up its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons capabilities has rested on offering Pyongyang a simple choice: a relationship with the United States, or weapons and isolation.

North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un, has made his choice. His government passed a law in September declaring the country a nuclear weapons state. Mr. Kim called that designation “irreversible” and ruled out further talks on denuclearization. The North has fired a dozen ballistic missiles in the past two months, is boasting of the ability to deploy tactical battlefield nuclear weapons and is expected to conduct another nuclear test — its seventh — perhaps as early as next week.

It’s time for the United States to face reality. Efforts to encourage Mr. Kim to abandon his weapons have not only failed, but he is as clear as ever about using them to protect his country.

Washington needs to contemplate the unthinkable: accepting that North Korea is a nuclear state.

Successive U.S. administrations have steadfastly refused to do that. It would be a setback for global nonproliferation and send the message that you can defy the international community — the United Nations has passed a series of resolutions condemning North Korea and imposing sanctions over the years — and get away with it.

But it also, ironically, may be the best way to reduce the persistent and growing threat of an inadvertent conflict on the Korean Peninsula by removing a major obstacle that prevents North Korea and the United States from meeting to work out their differences.

The risk of war has spiked over the past year as the two Koreas engaged in a rhetorical and actual arms race. North Korea’s decision to call itself a nuclear state appears to show Mr. Kim is worried about a pre-emptive strike aimed at killing him and decapitating his regime, and with good reason — South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s administration has placed new emphasis on a strategy of deterring a North Korean nuclear attack by preparing for pre-emptive strikes that could include targeting Pyongyang’s senior leadership.

North Korea vowed last month that any attempt to remove him from power would prompt a nuclear counterattack. But for that to work, it would mean granting other figures in his regime the authority to launch a nuclear counter-strike in his absence. This is deeply worrying. More people with that authority means more scope for a deadly miscalculation. Add to this the fact that North Korea’s actions have prompted calls in South Korea, which does not have nuclear weapons, to acquire them, and in Japan to bolster military spending and develop a stronger strike capability.

Something must be done to de-escalate the situation, but the United States has even fewer cards to play than before due to changes in the wider geopolitical landscape.

The Ukraine war has caused a deep rift between the United States and Russia and, to a lesser extent, Russia’s ally, China. The three big powers were crucial participants in previous multiparty negotiations to disarm North Korea, which ultimately failed. But Russia and China are now less likely to support U.S. pressure on North Korea; after Pyongyang resumed intercontinental ballistic missile tests this year, Beijing and Moscow vetoed a U.S. push for tighter sanctions on the North. Mr. Kim seems to have sensed the changed dynamic and has doubled down on his relationships with China and Russia.

If the past 30 years weren’t convincing enough, the current crisis shows that a new approach is sorely needed.

During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union showed they could sit down and discuss ways to reduce the risk of nuclear war. But nearly any ways in which America’s relations with North Korea might be improved — such as through economic cooperation or development assistance — are held hostage to Washington’s insistence that Pyongyang disarm first.

President Donald Trump’s attempt at diplomacy with Mr. Kim foundered on this very shoal: According to North Korea’s foreign minister, Ri Yong-ho, Mr. Kim had asked for some sanctions to be removed in exchange for his agreement to dismantle the North’s most important nuclear facility (Mr. Trump said Mr. Kim had asked for all sanctions to be removed in exchange for the closing of that facility). Not without complete disarmament, Mr. Kim was told. The talks collapsed in 2019 without an agreement, and Mr. Kim has used the subsequent years to build up his arsenal.

There is precedent for the United States to finesse the situation. Israel, India and Pakistan have nuclear weapons, but Washington chose to live with that so long as they didn’t brandish their weapons.

Although Israel has never acknowledged its nuclear capability, it remains the worst-kept secret in the world. But it does not openly flaunt its capability, which made it much easier for Arab neighbors like Egypt not to pursue their own nuclear programs in response. The United States turned a blind eye to India until it conducted a round of tests in 1998. Washington pragmatically set aside its concerns over those tests to enable cooperation in other areas.

Had the Trump administration taken this approach three years ago, we might be in a very different place today. No, North Korea would not be disarmed by now. But we could be exploring other steps to reduce tension, might have secured commitments of good behavior from Pyongyang and perhaps even some gesture toward disarmament in exchange for sanctions relief and economic assistance. This is far from ideal, but vastly preferable to Pyongyang stockpiling weapons.

Mr. Kim may see opportunities in a more relaxed U.S. attitude, too. He wants nuclear weapons as protection but is smart enough to know that they also make him a target. He was willing to engage with Mr. Trump and may eventually be willing to do the same with President Biden.

Turning a blind eye to North Korea’s entry into the nuclear club will sting, but we are essentially already doing that: U.S. officials do little more than talk about how Mr. Kim’s nuclear program is unacceptable, as he builds bomb after bomb. It’s time to cut our losses, face reality and take steps to reduce the risk of war on the Korean Peninsula.

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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The 30-year US effort to compel North Korea to give up its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons capabilities has rested on offering Pyongyang a simple choice: a relationship with the United States, or weapons and isolation.

The 30-year US effort to compel North Korea to give up its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons capabilities has rested on offering Pyongyang a simple choice: a relationship with the United States, or weapons and isolation. North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un, has made his choice. His government passed a law in September declaring the country a nuclear weapons state. Mr. Kim called that designation “irreversible” and ruled out further talks on denuclearization. The North has fired a dozen ballistic missiles in the past two months, is boasting of the ability to deploy tactical battlefield nuclear weapons and is expected to conduct another nuclear test — its seventh — perhaps as early as next week. It’s time for the United States to face reality. Efforts to encourage Mr. Kim to abandon his weapons have not only failed, but he is as clear as ever about using them to protect his country. Washington needs to contemplate the unthinkable: accepting that North Korea is a nuclear state. Successive U.S. administrations have steadfastly refused to do that. It would be a setback for global nonproliferation and send the message that you can defy the international community — the United Nations has passed a series of resolutions condemning North Korea and imposing sanctions over the years — and get away with it. But it also, ironically, may be the best way to reduce the persistent and growing threat of an inadvertent conflict on the Korean Peninsula by removing a major obstacle that prevents North Korea and the United States from meeting to work out their differences. The risk of war has spiked over the past year as the two Koreas engaged in a rhetorical and actual arms race. North Korea’s decision to call itself a nuclear state appears to show Mr. Kim is worried about a pre-emptive strike aimed at killing him and decapitating his regime, and with good reason — South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s administration has placed new emphasis on a strategy of deterring a North Korean nuclear attack by preparing for pre-emptive strikes that could include targeting Pyongyang’s senior leadership. North Korea vowed last month that any attempt to remove him from power would prompt a nuclear counterattack. But for that to work, it would mean granting other figures in his regime the authority to launch a nuclear counter-strike in his absence. This is deeply worrying. More people with that authority means more scope for a deadly miscalculation. Add to this the fact that North Korea’s actions have prompted calls in South Korea, which does not have nuclear weapons, to acquire them, and in Japan to bolster military spending and develop a stronger strike capability. Something must be done to de-escalate the situation, but the United States has even fewer cards to play than before due to changes in the wider geopolitical landscape. The Ukraine war has caused a deep rift between the United States and Russia and, to a lesser extent, Russia’s ally, China. The three big powers were crucial participants in previous multiparty negotiations to disarm North Korea, which ultimately failed. But Russia and China are now less likely to support U.S. pressure on North Korea; after Pyongyang resumed intercontinental ballistic missile tests this year, Beijing and Moscow vetoed a U.S. push for tighter sanctions on the North. Mr. Kim seems to have sensed the changed dynamic and has doubled down on his relationships with China and Russia. If the past 30 years weren’t convincing enough, the current crisis shows that a new approach is sorely needed. During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union showed they could sit down and discuss ways to reduce the risk of nuclear war. But nearly any ways in which America’s relations with North Korea might be improved — such as through economic cooperation or development assistance — are held hostage to Washington’s insistence that Pyongyang disarm first. President Donald Trump’s attempt at diplomacy with Mr. Kim foundered on this very shoal: According to North Korea’s foreign minister, Ri Yong-ho, Mr. Kim had asked for some sanctions to be removed in exchange for his agreement to dismantle the North’s most important nuclear facility (Mr. Trump said Mr. Kim had asked for all sanctions to be removed in exchange for the closing of that facility). Not without complete disarmament, Mr. Kim was told. The talks collapsed in 2019 without an agreement, and Mr. Kim has used the subsequent years to build up his arsenal. There is precedent for the United States to finesse the situation. Israel, India and Pakistan have nuclear weapons, but Washington chose to live with that so long as they didn’t brandish their weapons. Although Israel has never acknowledged its nuclear capability, it remains the worst-kept secret in the world. But it does not openly flaunt its capability, which made it much easier for Arab neighbors like Egypt not to pursue their own nuclear programs in response. The United States turned a blind eye to India until it conducted a round of tests in 1998. Washington pragmatically set aside its concerns over those tests to enable cooperation in other areas. Had the Trump administration taken this approach three years ago, we might be in a very different place today. No, North Korea would not be disarmed by now. But we could be exploring other steps to reduce tension, might have secured commitments of good behavior from Pyongyang and perhaps even some gesture toward disarmament in exchange for sanctions relief and economic assistance. This is far from ideal, but vastly preferable to Pyongyang stockpiling weapons. Mr. Kim may see opportunities in a more relaxed U.S. attitude, too. He wants nuclear weapons as protection but is smart enough to know that they also make him a target. He was willing to engage with Mr. Trump and may eventually be willing to do the same with President Biden. Turning a blind eye to North Korea’s entry into the nuclear club will sting, but we are essentially already doing that: U.S. officials do little more than talk about how Mr. Kim’s nuclear program is unacceptable, as he builds bomb after bomb. It’s time to cut our losses, face reality and take steps to reduce the risk of war on the Korean Peninsula. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

It's time to accept that North Korea has nuclear weapons

North Korea celebrated its 73rd foundation anniversary with a nighttime military parade. Pictures showed by Korean media show soldiers march in hazmat suits. But no ballistic missiles were seen or mentioned in the reports.

North Korea's 73rd anniversary: Soldiers in Hazmat suits march in parade, no missiles on display

North Korea has branded the US diplomacy as "spurious", dismissing the idea of talks with Washington a day after the Biden administration said it was open to diplomatic negotiations on denuclearization.

North Korea accuses the US of using 'spurious' diplomacy

According to a UN report, North Korea and Iran cooperated on the development of long-range missiles last year in violation of UN resolutions. Watch: An independent panel of experts from the UN has claimed that the two countries resumed cooperation of transfer of critical parts.

According to a UN report, North Korea and Iran cooperated on the development of long-range missiles last year in violation of UN resolutions. Watch: An independent panel of experts from the UN has claimed that the two countries resumed cooperation of transfer of critical parts. The UN report said Iran’s Shahid Haj Ali Movahed Research Center received "support and assistance" from North Korean missile specialists. The annual report is set to be presented to the Security Council's North Korea sanctions committee. The report says North Korea "produced fissile material, maintained nuclear facilities and upgraded its ballistic missile infrastructure". The UN report said that it "is highly likely that a nuclear device" could be mounted on to long-range, medium-range and short-range ballistic missiles" by North Korea. The report said North Korea "maintained and developed its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, in violation of UN Security Council(UNSC) resolutions." The US had walked out of the nuclear deal with Iran under the Trump administration in 2018, however, newly-elected US President Joe Biden has signalled his intention to get the country back in the deal, however, the new US government has insisted that Tehran should ensure full compliance. A year after the US withdrew from the nuclear deal and imposed harsh sanctions, Iran suspended its compliance with nuclear commitments in the deal. Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has openly said that the US must "completely lift" sanctions first before the country can return to full compliance. Iran has also asked European nations to coordinate with the Biden administration to ensure the 2015 nuclear deal is revived.

Iran, North Korea collaborated last year on missile development: UN report

United States President Donald Trump is among the list of possible contenders for this year's Nobel Peace Prize, news agency Reuters reported. According to reports, Pope Francis, North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, South Korean President Moon Jae-in are also part of the race.

Trump's journey to peace talks with North Korea began with name calling. But more recently the US president has described Kim as "open" and "honourable," in sharp contrast to deriding the Korean leader in the past -- labelling him "rocket man," Reuters reported. Here's a look at some of the other possible contenders for this year's prestigious peace prize.

Pope Francis: The first non-European pope in 1,300 years, shook up the Vatican with his simple style and moved to restore credibility to a Roman Catholic Church rattled to is core by financial and sexual scandals.

During his papacy, Francis made a big push to use the power of his pulpit and Vatican diplomacy to bring international issues to centre-stage.&nbsp;

The Korean leaders: South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have emerged as strong contenders for a joint Nobel Peace Prize, in their diplomatic efforts to broker peace on the Korean peninsula and denuclearise the North.

The leaders of two Koreas held a summit on April 27 at the village of Panmunjom in the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone at the border that has divided the Koreas for more than six decades.

Holding the first inter-Korean summit in more than a decade, Moon and Kim pledged to work for "complete denuclearization" of the Korean peninsula and agreed on a common goal of a "nuclear-free" peninsula.

The White Helmets: Members of the Syrian Civil Defence group, also known as the 'White Helmets' are contenders for the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize.

World Food Programme: A humanitarian organisation, the WFP delivers food aid in emergencies and works with communities to improve nutrition.&nbsp;

"On any given day, WFP has 5,000 trucks, 20 ships and 92 planes on the move, delivering approximately 12.6 billion rations a year to often conflict-affected countries", United Nations agency states.

Besides these, Russia's investigative newspaper Novaya Gazeta, leading Turkish opposition journalist, newspaper are among others who are in the fight to the prestigious peace accolade this year which will be announced in Oslo, Norway on October 5.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

&nbsp;

United States President Donald Trump is among the list of possible contenders for this year's Nobel Peace Prize, news agency Reuters reported. According to reports, Pope Francis, North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, South Korean President Moon Jae-in are also part of the race.

United States President Donald Trump is among the list of possible contenders for this year's Nobel Peace Prize, news agency Reuters reported. According to reports, Pope Francis, North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, South Korean President Moon Jae-in are also part of the race. Trump's journey to peace talks with North Korea began with name calling. But more recently the US president has described Kim as "open" and "honourable," in sharp contrast to deriding the Korean leader in the past -- labelling him "rocket man," Reuters reported. Here's a look at some of the other possible contenders for this year's prestigious peace prize. Pope Francis: The first non-European pope in 1,300 years, shook up the Vatican with his simple style and moved to restore credibility to a Roman Catholic Church rattled to is core by financial and sexual scandals. During his papacy, Francis made a big push to use the power of his pulpit and Vatican diplomacy to bring international issues to centre-stage. The Korean leaders: South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have emerged as strong contenders for a joint Nobel Peace Prize, in their diplomatic efforts to broker peace on the Korean peninsula and denuclearise the North. The leaders of two Koreas held a summit on April 27 at the village of Panmunjom in the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone at the border that has divided the Koreas for more than six decades. Holding the first inter-Korean summit in more than a decade, Moon and Kim pledged to work for "complete denuclearization" of the Korean peninsula and agreed on a common goal of a "nuclear-free" peninsula. The White Helmets: Members of the Syrian Civil Defence group, also known as the 'White Helmets' are contenders for the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize. World Food Programme: A humanitarian organisation, the WFP delivers food aid in emergencies and works with communities to improve nutrition. "On any given day, WFP has 5,000 trucks, 20 ships and 92 planes on the move, delivering approximately 12.6 billion rations a year to often conflict-affected countries", United Nations agency states. Besides these, Russia's investigative newspaper Novaya Gazeta, leading Turkish opposition journalist, newspaper are among others who are in the fight to the prestigious peace accolade this year which will be announced in Oslo, Norway on October 5. (With inputs from Reuters)

Donald Trump, Korean leaders among possible contenders for Nobel Peace Prize 2018

President Trump today cancelled the June 12th summit talks with Kim Jong-un which was to be held in Singapore.

The development <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/punggye-ri-nuclear-test-site-completely-dismantled-says-state-run-north-korean-media-139479">comes even as North Korea today</a> dismantled its nuclear site at&nbsp;Punggye-ri.

In a letter to Kim, Trump said the meeting requested by North Korea was "totally irrelevant".&nbsp;

"Sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it is inappropriate at this time to have the long-planned meeting," Trump said in the letter.

"You talk about your nuclear capabilities, but ours are so massive and powerful that I pray to God they will never have to be used," the US president wrote.

"If you change your mind having to do with this most important summit, please do not hesitate to call me or write. The world and North Korea, in particular, has lost a great opportunity for lasting peace and great prosperity and wealth," he said, adding,"this missed opportunity is a truly a sad moment in history."

North Korea's vice foreign minister had said today that&nbsp;the future of the summit between Pyongyang and Washington was "entirely" up to the United States while criticising US president Mike Pence for comparing North Korea to Libya.

Trump in his letter said: "I felt a wonderful dialogue was building up between you and me, and ultimately, it is only that dialogue that matters. Someday, I look very much forward to meeting you."

The US president thanked Kim for releasing the hostages earlier in the month, calling it a "beautiful gesture very much appreciated".

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/D6sbaPNmfvM" width="560"></iframe>

The meeting was to be held in Singapore on June 12th.

President Trump today cancelled the June 12th summit talks with Kim Jong-un which was to be held in Singapore. The development comes even as North Korea today dismantled its nuclear site at Punggye-ri. In a letter to Kim, Trump said the meeting requested by North Korea was "totally irrelevant". "Sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it is inappropriate at this time to have the long-planned meeting," Trump said in the letter. "You talk about your nuclear capabilities, but ours are so massive and powerful that I pray to God they will never have to be used," the US president wrote. "If you change your mind having to do with this most important summit, please do not hesitate to call me or write. The world and North Korea, in particular, has lost a great opportunity for lasting peace and great prosperity and wealth," he said, adding,"this missed opportunity is a truly a sad moment in history." North Korea's vice foreign minister had said today that the future of the summit between Pyongyang and Washington was "entirely" up to the United States while criticising US president Mike Pence for comparing North Korea to Libya. Trump in his letter said: "I felt a wonderful dialogue was building up between you and me, and ultimately, it is only that dialogue that matters. Someday, I look very much forward to meeting you." The US president thanked Kim for releasing the hostages earlier in the month, calling it a "beautiful gesture very much appreciated".

President Trump cancels summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un

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