Tokyo, Japan - There is a strange sigh of relief in Beijing when North Korea said it would return to the 6-Party talks. Some even mentioned the partial lifting of sanctions against North Korea. I say no way.
There is absolutely nothing to be cheerful about with North Korea's return to the 6-Party talks. These negotiations have never been successful in any sense. When North Korea faces the other five nations next time, the impoverished country will not only triumphantly demand that it be treated as a respectable member of the exclusive nuclear club, but also it be rewarded accordingly.
It may not be China's scenario, but Beijing has consistently failed to stop Kim Jon-Il's nuclear ambitions. There is no reason to believe the next time will be different.
North Korea is truly a rogue state because it genuinely believes that criminal acts results in profits. This time, it conducted a nuclear test in the face of international outrage, caused turmoil in East Asia, and now it says it is returning to the talk as if there is something to offer.
Do not be deceived. The pattern has been the same since the previous nuclear crisis in the early 1990s.
According to escapees from the regime, North Korea's weak agriculture was devastated by deluge earlier this year. Its nuclear test is not a sign of national strength. Quite the opposite, I believe.
Stopping any money flow to North Korea is the only way to cope with the situation. If Kim wants to further anger his population by using up little precious resources, well then, let him do it.
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