News Analysis |
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) unanimously approved sanctions on North Korea following its sixth nuclear test last Sunday. The resolution was passed when the US agreed to back down from more punitive sanctions to accommodate the concerns of Moscow and Beijing.
The options that the US has at its disposal are least likely to deter and compel Kim but are more likely to cause an Armageddon
The new resolution has banned  North Korea’s textile exports and capped its oil imports, following long deliberations and efforts to disallow the ban of oil exports into North Korea. In a bid to arrest a fast-deteriorating situation, the US was persuaded not to impose a travel ban or asset freeze on Kim Jong-un.
Read more: Pyongyang warns Washington of ‘pain and suffering’
The ratified resolution authorized a cap of 2 million barrels a year of sales of refined petroleum products to North Korea and a cap on crude oil exports at current levels. The resolution also placed a ban on DPRK’s textile exports.
Kim has effectively put the US in a predicament while also decoupling the allies. Pressure would hasten the development of a robust nuclear while adding to the likelihood of Kim going first
Amid simmering tensions, these sanctions could further aggravate the issue. “We are done trying to prod the regime from doing the right thing,” said US UN Ambassador Nikki Haley. “We are now trying to stop it from having the ability to do the wrong thing.“
Though, the hope that these pressures would pave the way for a political solution to the crisis, such a possibility is least expected. Hours before the resolution was passed, Pyongyang said the US will be inflicted with pain and suffering if it pushes forward with the sanctions.
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Pundits have questioned the utility of sanctions being effective in compelling and deterring Kim Jong un. If anything, sanctions or ramped-up military pressure is likely to draw a stern reaction from DPRK, something which it has state categorically.
Russia and China have urged an end to military drills which may add to the possibility of a dangerous action by Kim
While China and Russia did not veto the resolution, they have time and again spoken against such pressure, with President Putin giving the most assertive statement on the issue. Echoing the views of his Presidency, Russia’s envoy to the UN Vassily Nebenzia took exceptions to harsh measures.
He asserted:”Financial and economic measures of pressure on the DPRK leadership are almost exhausted, and further restrictions can amount to an attempt to strangle the country’s economy, impose a total blockade, and provoke a deep humanitarian crisis.”
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The US had to retreat due to pressure from China and Russia, something that Kim will deem as a victory. However, a predictably brazen response from the regime cannot be ruled-out
The US had to retreat due to pressure from China and Russia, something that Kim will deem as a victory. However, a predictably brazen response from the regime cannot be ruled-out. Though pain and suffering comment was a threatening euphemism, an ICBM test showing an act of defiance can be predicted.
Sanctions in the past were met with open repudiation by testing a rocket, an ICBM, and an H-bomb on three different occasions. While the regime has assiduously thrown the burden of escalation on the US and its allies, Russia and China have urged an end to military drills which may add to the possibility of a dangerous action by Kim. However, it seems as if the US and its allies are all set to deploy the tactical nuclear weapons for the protection of ROK.
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Kim has effectively put the US in a predicament while also decoupling the allies. Pressure would hasten the development of a robust nuclear while adding to the likelihood of Kim going first. The options that the US has at its disposal are least likely to deter and compel Kim but are more likely to cause an Armageddon.