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s North Korea becomes more aggressive in its pursuit of a nuclear-missile program, Indonesia is advised to leave behind its '€œsoft'€ stance and start utilizing diplomatic relations to curb the reclusive nation'€™s nuclear ambition and exhort it to join a dialogue.

North Korea sparked international anger with the launch of a satellite on Feb. 7, seen as a disguised ballistic missile test that violated multiple UN resolutions banning the nuclear-armed country from the use of ballistic technology. Pyongyang took the step just a month after its fourth nuclear test.

Indonesia expressed regret over the rocket launch and urged North Korea to respect and comply with the resolutions.

UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in North Korea Marzuki Darusman criticized Indonesia'€™s '€œmild'€ stance and inconsistent approach when dealing with Pyongyang.

'€œWe are permissive of North Korea'€™s power play and massive human-rights violations against its own people. Indonesia supports a nuclear weapon-free zone, however, we do not support the UN resolution on sanctions for North Korea,'€ he told The Jakarta Post.

North Korea'€™s nuclear-missile program remains a source of deep concern for the international community.

Marzuki said it jeopardized peace and stability and would lead to an arms race in the region.

Following a long-range rocket launch, Washington said it would help Seoul to deploy an advanced missile-defense system to counter the growing threat posed by Pyongyang. Officials of the two countries said they would soon begin formal negotiations over deploying the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System (THAAD) near the border with North Korea.

Indonesia is one of the very few countries that maintains cordial relations with North Korea despite international sanctions and isolation of the country.

Given their good relations that date back to the Soekarno and Kim Il-sung era in the 1960s, Indonesia should take a firmer stance and encourage a dialogue with the North or China '€” a key in taming the North, Marzuki said.

Director for East Asia and Pacific at the Foreign Ministry Edi Yusup said that Indonesia had maintained good relations with both North and South Korea, believing that taking care of the relationships were the best solution to appeasing North Korea.

Bilateral ties between Jakarta and Pyongyang cover routine economic mission visits, cultural festivals and the launching of a postage stamp to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Sukarno and Kim Il Sung'€™s meeting.

Edi acknowledged Pyongyang maneuvers had created instability and insecurity in the Asia Pacific, a region that constituted more than 60 percent of Indonesia'€™s trade balance. There is a lot at stake if the conflict intensifies.

'€œHowever, we believe embargoes, sanctions and taking a hard-power approach can be counterproductive. Indonesia prioritizes a consultative approach and is actually pushing for the resumption of six-party talks,'€ he said.

Adriana Elizabeth from the Indonesia Institute of Sciences urged a regional approach through ASEAN to deal with Pyongyang. Regardless, the latest missile launch should serve as the trigger for Indonesia'€™s greater involvement in conflict resolution in the Korean Peninsula.

'€œIndonesia has a very strategic position in the North Korea issue and other security concerns in the region. I do believe we have the capacity to initiate a regional dialogue with ASEAN and to reach a regional agreement to solve the issue,'€ she said.

Maintaining good relations are important, however, a firmer stance might cause more suffering for North Koreans themselves, Adriana said.