U.S. to Inspect North Korean Ships
The U.S. has confirmed that North Korea “probably” conducted an underground nuclear test last month before it launched short-range missiles. After the U.N. Security Council issued a resolution to impose sanctions, North Korea said it would begin enriching uranium for nuclear weapons.
President Barack Obama will order the Navy to inspect North Korean ships that might be carrying weapons. The rogue state has already threatened war if its ships are stopped for inspection.
The New York Times reports that these proposed inspections are “the most confrontational approach taken by the United States in dealing with North Korea in years” and likely would raise tension; however, North Korea is doing that all by itself with defiant nuclear tests and missile launches. The U.S. should focus on stopping North Korea in its tracks and not worry about “escalating tensions.”
The president will spend today with South Korean president Lee Myung-bak to discuss North Korea’s actions. The U.S. will also work with China, Japan, and Russia to keep North Korea in check.
Tags: Barack Obama, China, Japan, Lee Myung-bak, North Korea, Russia, South Korea