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Japan slaps sanctions on N. Korea

P. S. Suryanarayana

Seoul against military solution to the nuclear crisis

SINGAPORE: Ahead of any United Nations decision on imposing sanctions against North Korea for conducting a nuclear test, the Shinzo Abe Government in Japan outlined its move to impose its own sanctions on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). These were spelt out as a total stoppage of imports from North Korea, a ban on the entry of Pyongyang's ships into Japanese waters, and the denial of access to Japan for North Korean citizens.

These measures reinforce the financial sanctions that Japan had clamped on North Korea after its missile tests last July.

Meanwhile, South Korea on Wednesday expressed opposition to the option of international military action against the North, and Pyongyang said any U.S.-inspired sanctions against it would be deemed "a declaration of war." Seoul, North Korea's ethnic neighbour, joined China, Pyongyang's key interlocutor, in calling for a "peaceful" resolution of the crisis over North Korea's declaration on Monday that it successfully tested a nuclear weapon. South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, voicing opposition to any use of force against North Korea over its nuclear test, called for "a strategic mix" of "strong sanctions" and "dialogue" for a peaceful settlement of the crisis.

China, a veto-empowered permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, which was now seized of the issue, expressed its willingness to consider "some punitive actions" against North Korea but emphasised that any such sanctions should be "appropriate" and prudent.

On Wednesday, there was concern in parts of East Asia over what eventually turned out to be a false alarm, that Pyongyang might have tested another nuclear bomb earlier in the day.

Following the alarm, Japan and South Korea intensified their levels of security alert. Diplomatic sources in Seoul later told The Hindu that South Korea's alert stayed at the same level as decided upon immediately after North Korea's nuclear test on Monday.

Bush for diplomacy

AP reports:

United States President George W. Bush on Wednesday called for stiff sanctions on North Korea and asserted that the U.S. has ``no intentions of attacking'' the reclusive regime.

Mr. Bush, addressing a news conference in Washington, said the U.S. remains committed to diplomacy, but also ``reserves all options to defend our friends in the region.'' He also vowed increased military cooperation with allies, including bolstering ballistic missile defences in the region.

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