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President Roh Moo-hyun told a meeting of security-related ministers on Wednesday ¡°excessively sensitive responses¡± to North Korea¡¯s missile tests would create unnecessary tension and confrontation and will not help settle the problem." He added it is more important for the South ¡°to thoroughly analyze the essence of the current circumstances, share a common understanding with related countries and devise approaches to fundamental settlement."
From his own government there has been barely any response at all. The chief executive therefore seems to think anything short of complete apathy from the international community, or more precisely the U.S. and Japan, is excessive. Does he feel the Japanese prime minister responded excessively when he woke up in the small hours and examined the situation after the North fired missiles with Japan in range? Or was it excessive for the UN Security Council to have unanimously adopted a resolution condemning the missile tests? If so, did our Foreign Ministry spokesman issue a statement supporting that resolution in ignorance of the presidential convictions?
The president says concerned countries should share a common understanding of the North Korean missile issue. What country's failure to share a common understanding has caused any problems? The Security Council resolution was unanimously approved by all 15 council members. Even China, the North¡¯s staunchest ally, supported it, and the Chinese president reconfirmed Beijing¡¯s support at the G8. Concerned countries, in other words, share an unprecedented common understanding, and the only odd one out besides the culprit is South Korea.
The president is perhaps concerned about this lack of common understanding because the rest of the world does not see the problem as he does. But until it accepts that North Korea¡¯s missiles threaten international security, not just South Korea, Seoul will find itself isolated in the international community and a laughing stock to boot.
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