Dear President Obama: It's Time to Confront the North Korea Question

Bruce Klingner

Security, Asia

President Obama has been hitting the snooze bar on North Korean sanctions.

North Korea’s recent nuclear and missile tests have certainly shocked the world and triggered a cascade of stern responses.

South Korean President Park Geun-hye stood up to Chinese pressure and economic blackmail by moving forward to improve her country’s defenses by deploying important American missile defenses—Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or what is commonly referred to as THAAD. She also finally pulled the plug on the inter-Korean venture at Kaesong which had utterly failed in its political objectives to induce North Korean reform and moderate the regime’s aggressive behavior.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe imposed unilateral Japanese sanctions, many of which had been previously lifted in earlier attempts at diplomatic engagement with Pyongyang.

The U.S. Senate voted 96-0 after the House of Representatives voted 418-2 in favor of additional punitive measures on North Korea.

Pundits and experts overwhelmingly jumped on board the sanctions train even though many had to abandon the baggage of their previous derision of sanctions and futile advocacy for meaningful dialogue with the recalcitrant regime.

The above is certainly an impressive, breathtaking array of bi-partisan—no supra-partisan, supra-ideological unanimity of the need for a resolute response to North Korea’s unending violation of UN resolutions, U.S. and international law, and the norms of international behavior.

But who’s missing from this list of resolute, principled leaders? President Barack Obama.

Sure, the Administration has condemned Pyongyang's actions in the strongest possible words, expressed its dismay and disgruntlement, and requested Beijing do more. But where is the action backing up the strong rhetoric? Where is the rigor in enforcing American laws and principles? Indeed, where is the leadership?