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Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Barack Obama held their first summit in London on Thursday and agreed that a "stern and unified" response was necessary in dealing with North Korea's launch of a long-range rocket. In the meeting, Obama said the U.S. will seek punishment at the UN in response. Lee said it was necessary to demonstrate a strong resolve through the UN, while reconvening the six-party talks at the appropriate time to use both dialogue and pressure.
The two leaders said North Korea¡¯s possession and proliferation of nuclear materials are unacceptable and vowed to seek the complete and verifiable dismantlement of its nuclear program. Regarding North Korea's intention to pursue direct dialogue with the U.S. while bypassing South Korea, Obama said it would be impossible for the communist country to drive a wedge in the long-standing alliance between Seoul and Washington and vowed to hold transparent and inclusive negotiations with South Korea involving all North Korea-related policies. It was a brief summit, lasting just around half an hour, ahead of the G20 summit, but the two leaders sent a strong and clear warning to North Korea.
But North Korea began fueling its multi-stage rocket that day, the final step before a launch. And in what it called "an important report," broadcast by the official Korean Central News Agency, Pyongyang said if its foes "recklessly" intercept the satellite the People's Army will "mercilessly deal deadly blows not only at the already deployed intercepting means but at major targets."
North Korea has virtually admitted that the launch involved a long-range missile. If it launches it despite the final warnings of the leaders, Seoul, Washington and Tokyo will submit a resolution seeking UN sanctions against the communist country.
Considering the reluctance of China and Russia, which have veto rights at the UN Security Council, it will not be easy to impose sanctions against North Korea. But to make North Korea realize that the situation is grave, sanctions must be imposed. That is how the "stern and unified" response voiced by Seoul and Washington will prove more than mere words. South Korea and the U.S. must look into all possible measures to stop acts of provocation by the North.
Regarding the South Korea-U.S. free trade agreement, Obama said his administration had a strong will to advance the deal. Considering his negative stance until now, that is an important step. Both Seoul and Washington must strive to have their lawmakers ratify the FTA as soon as possible.
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