In an interview with the Associated Press on Friday, the top North Korean official for U.S. relations said that his country is now a "nuclear state," and it is Obama’s “strategic patience” policy which has given them the chance to become so strong.
“My country is a nuclear state. In the past, my country has been threatened by the United States with its nuclear weapons,” said Han Song Ryol to the Associated Press. “But I can now say proudly that the United States is being threatened by my country’s nuclear weapons.”
Talk about delusional.
On Wednesday, North Korea test-launched two medium-range ballistic missiles with a range of up to 4,000 km. Military experts believe that if the missiles are ever perfected, they could hit surrounding countries such as Japan, North Korea, Taiwan, and American military bases in the Pacific Ocean.
These missiles tests, only one of which was successful, were condemned by Washington, Japan, and South Korea as violations of U.N. resolutions and acts of provocation.
Han, who formerly served at North Korea’s U.N mission and lived in New York City, dismissed the criticism, saying that his country had no other choice than to build up its military deterrent as long as the United States remains their enemy. Han further explained that North Korea was feeling pressured by U.S. nuclear submarines in the area.
“The real provocation is coming from the United States...How can my country stand by and do nothing?” Han asked.
Well, one thing it could be doing is to work towards fulfilling the U.N.’s demands on human right issues and stopping nuclear development so sanctions against them can be dropped. That is a much easier and nonviolent option that probably wouldn't escalate into a nuclear war.
“There are many measures that the United States can take” to stop North Korea's fumbling steps toward nuclear power, Han continued. He said that North Korea is willing to follow suit if there is “political resolve” in Washington to change its policies toward North Korea. Such policies would include dropping the sanctions that have been crippling North Korea’s economy and replacing the armistice that ended at Korean War with a lasting peace treaty, which would include withdrawing all American troops from South Korea.
These are the same demands that North Korea has been making for years, but have still not learned won't work. The United States has stood by its demand that North Korea show at least some willingness to give up its nuclear dreams before peace talks can officially begin.
But that didn't stop Han from continuing, “The United States must see correctly the trend of the times and the strategic position of North Korea and withdraw its hostile policies.”
But, since North Korea has in all liklihood less than 10 active warheads (the U.S. has over 7,000), has only been successful at launching one mid-range missile in five attempts, has only one major political ally (China), and has a dwindling population that has been dealing with starvation, it may be time for them to realize that they are not exactly in a position to make demands.
Nonetheless, Han says that “day by day, his country is becoming stronger” thanks to Obama’s strategy of “strategic patience.” Under the strategy, which focuses on sanctions and military pressure to continually weaken and isolate North Korea, Han says that they have been given a lot of time to work on their nuclear program and to become stronger.
Han promises that for as long as these United States policies remain intact, they should expect a continuation of nuclear tests.