Kim Jong-un’s Nuclear proliferation programme requires innovative diplomacy

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By Titilayo Omotayo Alade

When a person or country has been isolated from the world for seven decades plus, that country will get accustomed to rejection and doing wrong things will seem the right way. Extreme punishment toughens you if it does not break or kill you.

North Korea is a product of twin isolation, as a state policy and international isolation. It’s been how many years since the Korean Peninsula was divided? And has the Kim dynasty been focused in their vision for nuclear proliferation? Are the allied powers of 1945 more united today in checking North Korea? Can getting rid of Kim Jong un pose greater danger and chaos than his presence to his people, Korea’s neighbours and the world? How prepared is the world to avert a “post Saddam –Iraq type or a Libya-type” scenario after Ghadaffi was taken out? Questions and more questions that the United Nations Security Council must find answers to as it brainstorms on finding a solution to the North Korean Nuclear Missile crisis.

I have a couple of pieces of advice: First, it’s time for the U.N. through its Secretary General - Antonio Guterres, to step up its role by calming the nerves and preventing a more serious global catastrophe. Sometimes, when duty calls, you have to do what you don’t want to do. I strongly believe that North Korea is unfinished business for the U.N. which even in its emergency September 4 Security Council meeting failed to reach a common front on how to check the North Korean leader’s nuclear exuberance. Clearly, North Korean leaders know how to get the world’s attention, but I doubt that the world knows how to keep this country’s attention. I believe that sanctions have failed in curbing this Asian nation and that a war is too costly (in all ramification) to tame North Korea.

While it appears that Kim Jong-un’s adventures are geared towards catching or provoking the U.S. President Donald Trump, it might seem like another resilience test for the latter. Up till now, we know that Jong-un does not hate all Americans. While his late father Kim Jong Il had a soft spot for Bill Clinton, Un has regards for the famous NBA star - Dennis Rodman. This means the Kim dynasty has a secret regard for the US while Un has a passion for sports, particularly basketball (just as his US counterpart loves golf). So, if these people catch North Korea’s fancy, they can play a role in engaging and not attempting to control the Korean Leader. Also, Kim studied in Switzerland. Did he not have any friends? I doubt he lived and studied in isolation during his schooldays. I think it’s time for unconventional diplomacy. Can the United Nations be innovative in dealing with 21st century challenges by introducing/exploring sports session to engage world leaders? This worked with the Olympics, it can work wonders again.

Second, it seems Russia has been largely undermined in the strategy to calm North Korea’s rebellion. As long as the United Nations Security Council permanent members have the veto power, the support of Russia and China cannot be compromised. Currently, it seems a proxy and ideological war has been rekindled between old sparing partners – the US and Russia, although the former seems oblivious of how things really seem. Perhaps, there is under-communication, miscommunication, misinformation or intelligence failure on the American side. They seem really distracted, while their opponents are incredibly focused. The U.S. certainly seemed better coordinated post WWII in handling the affairs of the Korean Peninsula, although the solutions from the world powers appear inept. If not, the North would still not be a security albatross to the world in the 21st century.

Third, if George W. Bush returned to Iraq to win a war that his father lost, what stops Kim Jong-un from following in his grandfather’s footsteps (Kim Il-sung) by hoping to invade and conquer the South again? Perhaps, this is the fear that has gripped the South and her U.S. ally leading to speculations of an attempt to take the North Korean Leader out. Jong-un certainly conveyed a strong message to its former colonial power Japan, by firing an inter-ballistic missile that flew over Japan before plunging into the northern Pacific Ocean barely a fortnight back.

Let me sound a note of caution: Judging by reports, President Kim Jong-un has tested multiple nuclear missiles this year and the reported September 3rd hydrogen nuclear test is ten times more powerful than previous ones, causing a huge 6.3 magnitude “explosion” tremor. This means the Korean leader performs these nuclear tests at great risk to him and his nation. There is a local Yoruba proverb which says a dog that is destined to get lost will never hear the whistle blow of the hunter, his master. For North Korea, Sometimes, you go to the extreme and end up hurting yourself in your determination to hurt or get back at your perceived enemy(ies). This goes for both Kim and Trump.

But how can the grass prevent itself from suffering when “two giants” fight? I guess the signals that led to the failure of the League of Nations are looming large again. North Korea clearly has shifted from being an insignificant to a significant actor in international politics. Sanctions have clearly failed in deterring this nation from posing security threat to the world. Naturally, everyone is worried and powerful nations no matter how distracted by local issues do not want to be caught unawares.

Sometimes what makes you attractive can make you unattractive. Sometimes, it’s the other way round. Sometimes, even the traditional powers need to adjust. Still, sometimes, when you have been misunderstood for so long, you communicate wrongly.  I think what North Korea needs is love. The world created a “Tarzan-like” image in North Korea. Now, Tarzan has developed natural skills fit for survival in a jungle.  True love and understanding is what can reform Tarzan. Tarzan might look like a lone ranger in his jungle. Wrong! He has a significant support of the animal kingdom. What the U.N. Sec. - Gen. Antonio Guterres needs to consider now is a precedence set by a former American Secretary of State - Henry Kissinger in the early 1970s. Kissinger quietly visited China, to end a cold war between two ideological enemies. Who will be the 21st century Kissinger?

Really, there is nothing new under the sun, and all the brewing chaos within and among nations in the twentieth century need not be replayed if only we chose to reckon with history.  North Korea remains a UN member, but it has faced discrimination within the global body for too long. There’s need for innovative diplomacy within the U.N.  Like Tarzan, there must be a way to bring out the human in Kim Jong-un, but this can only be achieved in an atmosphere of trust, sincerity and respect. Today’s global Tarzan could be a solutions provider if only we provide a suitable environment for him to channel his uncommon talent.