US Calls on China to Put Rein on its Ally North Korea

The United States is pushing China to use its influence on North Korea as talks are underway between Beijing and Pyongyang. US Secretary of State John Kerry is currently in Seoul for an official visit. He is on his first trip to Asia. Officials accompanying Sec. Kerry on this trip said that if China would not use its leverage then the persistent actions of North Korea would only destabilize the whole region. It is about time that China “stop this escalation” since it also has a lot at stake.

China is the major trade partner of North Korea and Beijing has already issued a stern warning to its ally and told Kim Jong-un that there was no need to engage in missile testing.

On high alert with threats of nuclear strikes

Tensions in the Korean peninsula have increased significantly in the past weeks because of North Korea’s blatant threats to its neighbor in the South and to America as well. With the latest news on another missile test, South Korea is currently on high alert at Watchcon 2. The US and South Korea are expecting multiple tests with additional sightings of more missiles.

It has been confirmed that a couple of Musudan intermediate range ballistic missiles are already placed on North Korea’s east coast. These missiles are estimated to travel a distance of 2,500 miles placing Guam within it range. The Musudan can also target Japan and Okinawa. Other estimates put the upper limit of the range of this missile at 4,000 kms. The other names for the Musudan are Taepodong-X and Nodong-B. The payload is unknown and it is not also publicly revealed what the tests results are of if any has been done.

Nuclear capability

A study has been conducted by the Defense Intelligence Agency which concludes that Pyongyang has the capability to fire missiles with nuclear warheads. But the report says that this function has low reliability. The report was leaked out by a US Congressman and the Pentagon has already responded. George Little, spokesman to the Pentagon said in a statement that it is rather “inaccurate to suggest that Pyongyang has already fully tested and demonstrated such a capability. The general opinion is that North Korea has not yet made nuclear devices that may be attached to a ballistic missile.

Pyongyang is on the eve of celebration and the rest of the world is on edge. North Korea’s anniversary is coming up on Monday and the past few days have seen less rhetoric and more holiday festivities from the country north of the DMZ. The birthday of North Korea’s founder, Kim Il-sung will be celebrated on Monday. But speculation is growing that it could possibly mark the date for another missile test.

Meanwhile, President Barack Obama calls on Pyongyang to put an end to its “belligerent approach.” He assured the bellicose nation that the United States will do whatever it takes to protect its citizens. Member countries of the G8 meeting in London strongly condemned the ballistic missile and nuclear programs of North Korea in statements issued by their foreign ministers. The Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom William Hague declared that the British will commit to taking the necessary measures should Pyongyang conduct another nuclear test or missile launch.

Photo Credit: Pyongyang, North Korea