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North Korea’s nuclear terror
When assuming the ASEAN chairmanship in January next year, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo needs to take a diplomatic offensive to complement international efforts to deescalate tension in East Asia.
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North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un (center right, front) and his daughter (center left, front) pose with soldiers who contributed to the test-firing of a new intercontinental ballistic missile at an unknown location in North Korea, in this undated picture released on Nov. 27. The country has conducted a record-breaking blitz of missile launches in recent weeks and fears have grown that it is building up to a seventh nuclear test, its first since 2017. (AFP/KCNA/KNS)
T
he international community, in particular ASEAN, can no longer stand idly by and watch North Korean leader Kim Jong-un spread fear with his dangerous behavior.
His repeated threats to use nuclear weapons against neighbors South Korea, Japan and long-time ally the United States have become alarming. His “demolition mission” of the Korean Peninsula could very possibly trigger World War III.
The world has rarely heard any encouraging news from King Jong-un ever since he replaced his late father Kim Jong-il 11 years ago. The North Korean leader has spent most of his time intimidating the world. He seems to believe by terrorizing others with his highly sophisticated weapons, his people will glorify him and his neighbors will pay a great deal of ransom.
While other countries show off their economic achievements or technological inventions, North Korea under Kim chooses to demonstrate the lethal level of its nuclear arsenal to the world. Such a belligerent tendencies are perhaps a mask for the destitution and starvation facing millions of North Koreans, news of which has been leaked several times.
There was a slight hope when then-US president Donald Trump met with Kim Jong-un in Singapore in June 2018 and Vietnam in February 2019. The two historic summits were aimed at curbing the North’s nuclear program, but no meaningful progress followed.
When assuming ASEAN chairmanship in January next year, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo needs to take a diplomatic offensive to complement international efforts to deescalate tension in East Asia. Indonesia has traditionally maintained a good relationship with North Korea, despite their meager record in bilateral economics and trade. No meaningful progress is within sight anytime soon, but ASEAN’s and Indonesia’s initiative will strengthen other peace-building measures in Korea.
Many would realize Indonesia’s potential as peace broker that wins trust from the South and respect from the North. For this reason, President Jokowi needs to establish a special team under the auspices of Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi to focus on peace missions in Korea.
Indonesia’s fifth president Megawati Soekarnoputri has been approached by South Korean presidents in the last 20 years to act as a peace mediator because of her emotional ties with the North Korean ruling dynasty. Megawati knew Kim Jong-il, Kim Jong-un’s father, when they were still teenagers.
An open conflict between North and South Korea, along with Japan and the US, has become more likely after the North fired at least six missiles into the sea this month, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) that forced Japan to issue emergency evacuation warnings and halted trains in the northern part of the country.
As reported by the media, the missile launches were North Korea’s response to the US-South Korean military drills.
As ASEAN chair and the president of Indonesia, Jokowi stands a good chance to at least help calm the boiling tension in the Korean peninsula. And former president Megawati is more than willing to assume peace-making duties on behalf of the President.
After its successful diplomacy during the Group of 20 Summit, it is not an exaggeration to expect Indonesia to take more initiatives to bring peace to the Korean peninsula. We should not let Kim Jong-un continue terrorizing the world with his nuclear arms.
