Status quo on N. Korea fails | Bangkok Post: opinion

EDITORIAL

What can you give as a holiday prize to a rogue nation that already has everything _ sanctions-wise? This is now a serious question for the world community. Last week's successful missile launch by North Korea made clear that US President Barack Obama's official policy of "strategic patience" toward Pyongyang is no longer a choice. Neighbours and the United Nations can be under no illusion that third-generation leader Kim Jong-Un is as determined to make North Korea a military adversary as his father and grandfather were.

The latest Kim to rule the hermit nation watched as his military and scientists fired a Unha-3 rocket. Its parts separated perfectly, in the Yellow Sea and Philippine Sea. It lifted a satellite of some sort into orbit. The launch itself was peaceful and threatened no country. However, it was clear the ultimate intention was to augment existing confrontation. The UN had long banned Pyongyang from making or launching such rockets. Even China expressed its regret.

The launch marked the first anniversary of the death of Kim Jong-Il and the royal-like succession of his son, Mr Jong-Un. It is clear that the young ruler of North Korea has the same intentions and policy objectives as the Kims before him. North Korea has had war, negotiations, diplomacy, confrontation and heavy sanctions. Nothing has made Pyongyang less surly, unfriendly or dangerous.