Perspective: Tensions in Korean Peninsula | 20 February, 2023

Summary

The video script from 'Sunset Television' discusses the escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula, prompted by North Korea's recent ballistic missile launches. Experts on the show analyze the motivations behind North Korea's actions, the potential influence of China and Russia, and the implications for regional security. They also debate the likelihood of diplomatic solutions and the role of the United States, South Korea, and Japan in addressing the crisis, considering the current frosty relations between the U.S. and the major powers.

Takeaways

• 🚀 North Korea has launched two more ballistic missiles, following an ICBM test into the Sea of Japan, escalating tensions in the region.
• 🔍 The sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's statement suggests that further actions will depend on the U.S. forces' behavior, indicating a conditional response to external actions.
• 🤔 The panelists discuss the genesis of these recurring crises, highlighting North Korea's use of its nuclear and missile programs as leverage and tools of coercion.
• 🌏 The situation is complicated by the involvement of other regional powers, such as China and Russia, who may influence or support North Korea's actions.
• 🔄 North Korea's missile tests are not new, but the frequency and scale have increased, with 2022 seeing a significant number of tests, indicating a rapid development in their capabilities.
• 📈 Kim Jong-un's recent declarations point to an intention to exponentially increase the nuclear arsenal and develop tactical nuclear missiles for actual warfare.
• 🔄 North Korea seems to be aligning more closely with Beijing and Moscow, affecting its foreign policy and potentially its stance on negotiations.
• 🛑 The lack of substantial discussions between the U.S. and North Korea since 2019 suggests that Kim Jong-un may not be interested in negotiations at this time.
• 🏛 The Japanese Prime Minister's request for an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting and South Korea's condemnation of the launches indicate a regional response to the crisis.
• 🔐 The panelists agree that the situation is serious and could potentially lead to further escalation, emphasizing the need for careful monitoring and diplomatic efforts.
• 🔬 The discussion also considers the implications for global security, including the potential for North Korea to proliferate its missile and nuclear technologies.

Q & A

What is the main topic of discussion in the 'Perspective' show?

The main topic of discussion in the 'Perspective' show is the tensions in the Korean Peninsula, particularly focusing on North Korea's recent missile launches.

Why did North Korea launch two more ballistic missiles?

North Korea launched two more ballistic missiles as a response to what they perceive as provocative actions by the U.S. forces, and it is part of their ongoing strategy to assert their military capabilities.

What was the reaction of the United States to North Korea's ICBM launch into the Sea of Japan?

The United States responded by holding joint air exercises with South Korea and separately with Japan to demonstrate their military readiness and commitment to regional security.

What did the Japanese Prime Minister do in response to the missile test?

The Japanese Prime Minister requested an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting to address the situation caused by North Korea's missile test.

How did South Korea's Joint Chief of Staff describe the missile launches?

South Korea's Joint Chief of Staff condemned the missile launches as a grave provocation that should be dealt with immediately.

What is the historical context of North Korea's missile tests?

North Korea's missile tests are not new, and they have been a recurring issue in the Korean Peninsula. In 2022, there was a significant increase in the number of missile tests conducted by North Korea.

What is the role of North Korea's nuclear and missile programs in its foreign policy?

North Korea's nuclear and missile programs serve as invaluable tools of coercion, allowing the country to maintain leverage over its neighbors and the international community.

What does the panel believe is the reason behind the recent escalation of tensions?

The panel suggests that the recent escalation could be due to domestic political dynamics within North Korea, increased U.S. involvement in the Far East, and North Korea's desire to assert its military capabilities.

What is the potential impact of North Korea's missile program on regional security?

The panel suggests that North Korea's missile program could lead to increased tensions in Northeast Asia, with implications for countries like Japan and South Korea, and potentially affecting the balance of power in the region.

What is the role of China and Russia in the current situation on the Korean Peninsula?

China and Russia are seen as significant players in the region, with North Korea serving as a proxy for their interests. Their support or actions could influence the stability of the Korean Peninsula.

What are the implications of North Korea's missile tests for India and the broader Indo-Pacific region?

The implications for India and the Indo-Pacific region include potential technology proliferation and the need for countries in the region to consider the security threats posed by North Korea's advancements in missile and nuclear technology.

What are the prospects for diplomatic resolution or de-escalation of the tensions?

The panelists suggest that there may not be much traction for diplomatic efforts in the immediate future, given the current stance of North Korea and the frosty relations between the U.S. and other major powers like China and Russia.

Outlines

00:00

🚀 North Korea's Missile Launches and Regional Tensions

The script opens with a discussion on North Korea's recent ballistic missile launches, highlighting the response from the U.S., South Korea, and Japan. The panel, including Mr. Karthik Bhumakanti, Chaudhary, and former Minister Manjeet Singh Puri, delves into the recurring nature of these crises and the strategic reasons behind North Korea's actions. The conversation underscores the role of North Korea's nuclear and missile programs as leverage tools and the potential implications for regional stability.

05:01

🌐 Geopolitical Dynamics and North Korea's Strategy

This paragraph explores the geopolitical context of North Korea's missile tests, considering the domestic political situation in North Korea, the U.S.'s increased presence in the Far East, and China's role. The discussion suggests that North Korea's actions may be influenced by a combination of internal power dynamics, a response to U.S. activities, and potential coordination with China and Russia. The panelists also consider the impact of North Korea's missile and nuclear advancements on regional security and the global balance of power.

10:03

🔐 The Role of China and Russia in North Korea's Actions

The script examines the influence of China and Russia on North Korea's behavior, suggesting that both countries may be encouraging North Korea's provocative actions to destabilize the region and counterbalance the U.S. and its allies. The panelists discuss the strategic importance of North Korea as a proxy for China and Russia, and how its nuclear and missile capabilities serve to keep regional adversaries off balance. The conversation also touches on Japan's re-militarization and the broader implications for Northeast Asia's security landscape.

15:04

🕊️ Diplomatic Challenges and the Path to De-Escalation

The panelists consider the prospects for diplomatic resolution amidst the escalating tensions. They discuss the complexities of engaging with North Korea, the potential for U.N. Security Council action, and the influence of domestic politics in shaping foreign policy. The conversation highlights the difficulty of finding a diplomatic path forward, given North Korea's current stance and the competing interests of regional powers. The panel also contemplates the role of informal diplomacy and the need for continued engagement to prevent accidental escalation.

20:05

🌟 The Future of Regional Security and North Korea's Intentions

In the final paragraph, the discussion turns to the future of regional security and the potential intentions behind North Korea's missile tests. The panelists consider whether these tests are a prelude to war preparedness or a show of force. They also discuss the impact of Japan's new defense strategy and the changing dynamics in the region, including the potential for increased pressure from Moscow and Beijing on North Korea. The conversation concludes with a recognition of the uncertainty surrounding North Korea's next moves and the need for vigilance in monitoring the situation.

Keywords

💡Tensions in the Korean Peninsula

This phrase refers to the ongoing political and military strain between North Korea and its neighboring countries, particularly South Korea and the United States. It is the central theme of the video, highlighting the recent ballistic missile launches by North Korea and the subsequent reactions from other nations. The script discusses the implications of these tensions on regional security and international relations.

💡Ballistic Missiles

Ballistic missiles are a type of missile that follows a set trajectory to deliver an explosive payload over a long distance. In the script, North Korea's launch of two ballistic missiles is a focal point, illustrating the country's military advancements and its use of such tests to assert its power and provoke reactions from other nations.

💡Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM)

ICBMs are long-range ballistic missiles designed to travel between continents, often capable of carrying nuclear warheads. The script mentions North Korea firing an ICBM into the Sea of Japan, which is a significant escalation in military terms, as it demonstrates the potential to strike distant targets, including possibly the continental United States.

💡KCNA

KCNA stands for the Korean Central News Agency, the official state-run news agency of North Korea. The script quotes KCNA to convey the statements from North Korea, including the powerful sister of Kim Jong-un, which emphasizes the state's perspective and rhetoric on the missile launches.

💡Joint Air Exercises

These are military training operations conducted by two or more nations to enhance their combined defense capabilities. The script refers to the United States holding joint air exercises with South Korea and Japan in response to North Korea's missile tests, showcasing the military alliance and coordinated response to regional threats.

💡United Nations Security Council

The United Nations Security Council is a body responsible for maintaining international peace and security, with the power to impose sanctions and authorize military action. The script mentions an emergency meeting requested by the Japanese Prime Minister in response to the missile test, indicating a call for international intervention and diplomatic solutions to the crisis.

💡Provocation

In the context of the script, provocation refers to an action or statement made to deliberately anger or irritate another party, often for strategic reasons. South Korea's joint Chief of Staff condemned the missile launches as a 'grave provocation,' highlighting the inflammatory nature of North Korea's actions.

💡Nuclear Arsenal

A nuclear arsenal refers to a country's collection of nuclear weapons. The script discusses Kim Jong-un's declaration of an exponential increase in North Korea's nuclear arsenal, indicating a significant expansion of its nuclear capabilities and a potential threat to global security.

💡Tactical Nuclear Missiles

Tactical nuclear missiles are designed for use on the battlefield, typically having a shorter range and less destructive power than strategic nuclear weapons. The script notes that North Korea plans to develop these missiles, which are intended for actual warfare rather than just as a deterrent.

💡De-escalation

De-escalation is the process of reducing tension or the level of conflict. The script explores the possibility of de-escalating the situation in the Korean Peninsula, considering the actions and statements from various parties involved, and the potential for diplomatic efforts to reduce the risk of conflict.

💡Proxy

A proxy is a state or actor that is supported or manipulated by another power to serve its interests indirectly. The script suggests that North Korea serves as a proxy for both China and Russia, using its actions to destabilize the region and exert influence over other powers in Northeast Asia.

Highlights

North Korea launched two more ballistic missiles, escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Kim Jong-un's sister suggests North Korea's use of the Pacific as a firing range depends on U.S. forces' actions.

North Korea's missile tests are a tool of coercion and a reminder of its military capabilities.

The recent ICBM launch prompted joint air exercises by the U.S. with South Korea and Japan.

Japan's Prime Minister requested an emergency UN Security Council meeting over the missile test.

South Korea condemned the launches as a grave provocation.

North Korea's missile program is a significant source of leverage in regional politics.

Domestic political dynamics within North Korea, including Kim Jong-un asserting himself, may influence the timing of missile tests.

The U.S. increasing its presence in the Far East due to China's moves could be a factor in North Korea's actions.

North Korea's missile and nuclear program developments are a serious concern for regional stability.

North Korea aligning more with Beijing and Moscow in foreign policy.

Kim Jong-un's declaration of an exponential increase in North Korea's nuclear arsenal.

Tactical nuclear missiles are designed for actual warfare, indicating a serious escalation.

The lack of negotiations since 2019 suggests North Korea is not interested in diplomatic solutions at present.

Economic issues in North Korea due to sanctions may be offset by China's economic support.

Japan's new defense strategy and increased military capabilities add a new dynamic to the region.

The potential for North Korea to proliferate missile and nuclear technology poses a significant security risk.

Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the crisis may be complicated by frosty relations between the U.S., China, and Russia.

The possibility of North Korea developing war preparedness and military capacity for actual conflict.

Japan's re-militarization and defense preparedness add complexity to the regional security situation.

Transcripts

[Music]

namaskar and welcome to Sunset

television I am Vishal dehia and you're

watching our show perspective where we

bring you detailed analysis of key

National and international issues today

we're going to talk about the tensions

in the Korean Peninsula now North Korea

launched two more ballistic missiles of

its East Coast on Monday with State News

Agency kcna quoting the powerful sister

of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un

saying pyongyang's use of the Pacific as

its firing range would entirely depend

on the U.S forces action character now

these launches come just two days after

North Korea fired an intercontinental

ballistic missile that is ICBM into the

sea of Japan's West Coast promo

prompting the United States to hold

joint air exercises with South Korea and

separately with Japan as well on Sunday

while Japanese prime minister

requested an emergency United Nations

security council meeting over the test

South Korea's joint Chief of Staff a

strong only condemned the launches as a

grave provocation that should be seized

immediately so we'll try and understand

a bit more about these tensions in the

Korean Peninsula why is it happening and

what's the way out how serious is the

escalation this time around for more on

this we joined by a distinguished panel

of experts let me first introduce them

to you beginning with we have in the

studio Mr Karthik bhumakanti is a senior

fellow with ORF uh welcome Mr bomakanti

to our Studios Chaudhary uh foreign

affairs editor with Hindustan times is

also joining us and so it's former

Minister manjeet Singh Puri as well uh

welcome both of you gentlemen as well

I'll begin with you Karthik and let's

you know first start by understanding a

few basic points here this is not the

first time that uh you know this sort of

Crisis uh which has been uh you know led

by a missile test by North Korea has

happened in the Korean Peninsula but

what's the Genesis you know why does it

keep on happening year after year we see

uh and in fact in last year there is in

2022 there were a large number of

missile tests which you carried by in

North Korea yeah certainly the test

conducted by North Korea are not new

these tests are also not new

what is most important to recognize as

you said is why it happens over and over

again and the deeper reason for that is

because the north has no source of

Leverage it's only two sources of

Leverage are its nuclear weapons program

and its missile program

and they are invaluable tools of

coercion they knock the South Koreans of

balance they knocked the they knock the

Japanese off balance in apart that apart

the Americans who are they close allies

knocks them off balance and that's one

way of you know not just keeping them

off balance but it also allows them to

remind the rest of the world that it can

that North Korea has the capacity to

also refine and improve its capabilities

and it can Target

places well beyond the Korean Peninsula

including the American mainland

okay okay so there lies the Genesis part

there will dwell more into this as well

uh Ambassador I'd like to bring you in

here you know your views on on why this

keeps on happening and also for us to

better understand how serious is the

escalation this time around

you will have to unmute yourself sir I

was muted apology Michelle thank you

very much I think our colleague has

stretched to you the kind of situations

that the North Korea a finds themselves

and we have put themselves in having

said that the fact remains why now why

not after 10 days why not after 15 days

whenever look in my understanding one is

this entire issue that you know there

are domestic uh political kind of things

within the family Mr Kim himself

asserting himself showing off now his

daughter his sister coming to the force

and there are various issues of that

particular kind with someone who's an

expert would be able to understand it

the second are various issues dealing

with the United States upping its ante

in the Far Eastern part part as a result

of Chinese hegemonistic moves August and

all of these particular things now are

the Chinese again the North Koreans I'm

not so sure but I won't be very much

surprised if you know there was a little

bit of saying yes you know you do this

thirdly there are this entire Dimension

that the United States is occupied

somewhere but it's also acting up in the

in the party side and the North Koreans

you know want to uh sort of tell the

South Koreans and everyone that look we

are of course we are opposed to reckon

with and you know don't sort of trifle

with us and and take us into the scene

remember one more point and I'm making

these points you know more as a kind of

question why it's happened uh a few

years back before President Biden came

through the to park Mr trumpet actually

reached out to the North Korea yes now

think of yourself from the perspective

of a leader like the North Korean leader

husband shunned by everyone who suddenly

finds that himself he is being fated and

called to a meeting by Donald Trump and

now suddenly it's back to the old things

that you know forget about this guy keep

him

so is it all of that you know this needs

somebody who's very familiar with the

psychology

causes them the way of their thinking

but you know I would say

these things have happened in the past

these things will continue to happen in

the past but they are serious and we

should take them with you seriousness

because the North Koreans are now

developing their missile program as well

as their nuclear capability and this is

certainly a serious content okay okay uh

permit uh you know uh your assessment of

the situation and also would you agree

with what Ambassador Puri is pointing

out there that you know uh perhaps uh

you you've called the North Korean

leader to the uh table for talks

discussion dialogue and then Chun name

again so the other guy has no leverage

uh but to you know display its uh force

in terms of missile tests

so yeah first I'll point out that we've

seen a steady should we say acceleration

in North Korea's missile program uh if

you look at the number of tests that

were held last year uh it was a

staggering number by North Korean

standards in fact 25 percent of all the

North Korean missile launches in history

we're all carried out just last year in

addition on February 9th we saw the

North Koreans hold a military parade uh

where they showed again the largest

number of icbms they've ever done before

over a dozen icbms were paraded along

Pyongyang and we saw Kim Jong-un make a

speech where he declared that there

would be an exponential increase

in the number of nuclear missiles of the

nuclear arsenal of North Korea in the

coming year

I love just these long-range missiles

that we're talking about here in

particular seemed to have pointed out

that tactical nuclear missiles would

also be part of what he was planning to

do that's important because effectively

those are not for display or show those

are missiles that are designed for

actual Warfare uh land Warfare we've

seen North Korea become it's already

very close to China but align itself in

many ways much much more towards Beijing

and to some degree Moscow in its

language in its overall foreign policy

over the past several months all of this

points to a North Korea that doesn't see

should we say but doesn't seem to feel

it has to have much Advance

gain from really going out of its way on

negotiations as has been mentioned since

what 2019 there have been no discussions

uh between of any consequence between

the U.S and North Korea or between any

of the countries in Northeast Asia

my instinct would be that given the kind

of tests he's doing

um and the language he's giving Kim

Jong-un is indicating he's actually not

all that interested in negotiations

right now yes there are pro there does

seem to be some economic issues in North

Korea because of sanctions but given

that its border with China is open and

given China's economic capacities uh

North Korea I don't think has much to

worry on that front or is not worried

about that front it used to in the past

try to play off

um its negotiations with the United

States and in it and then opening up to

Japan or South Korea okay uh to at least

reduce its dependence on China it was

close to China but didn't always need to

want to become completely dependent on

China it doesn't seem to be that

interesting in going down that path

anymore so my expectation is that we

will see more such missile launches we

will see more such language and overall

as Ambassador Puris mentioned we will

see a far greater degree of tension in

Northeast Asia not just because of this

but because of the language we're seeing

over Taiwan but also keep in mind the

Japanese announcement of a new defense

strategy intuitively re-militarized

Japan

yeah you wanted to say something uh

thank you Vishal I very much agree with

what ramit has just put out this

business of what kills is happening

there now you know Chinese instrument

has resulted in even those who had

pacifist ideas in their constitution

like Japan Etc coming to the fore and

naturally the United States is becoming

more cognizant of what we like to call

indo-pacific but let's say the Far East

using old thing The Outpost strategy Etc

and so therefore to look at some people

like uh Kim Jong-un

Etc from North Korea and they're coming

to the foreign

which they are because of their

possession of missile and nuclear

technology but also you know let me say

putting forward the point that you know

it isn't such a simple matter okay there

is there are lots of other Power Players

which are involved and this game is not

such a straightforward one okay I think

these are all dangerous potentials for

the future and therefore I very much

agree with what pravita said you will

continue to see all of this going up

it's been ratcheted up and it will I'm

afraid continue okay okay we'll we'll

come to that part as well but uh Karthik

here you know uh to understand a bit

more the the gravity of the situation uh

seriousness uh of the tensions the

prevailing tensions in Korean Peninsula

we all have to understand few aspects

which all of you pointed out one uh

North Korea is a nuclear uh powered

Nation nuclear armed Nation that's one

two it's a very uh you know secretive

country not much is known about the kind

of strategies they deploy or the kind of

you know uh decisions they take based on

what discussions they hold

autocratic regime of course the other

part being the fact that you know there

are other powers as well it's not just

uh you know Japan South Korea United

States as as both the other panelists

are pointing out uh China and Russia are

also uh players perhaps uh behind the

scenes as of now but yes they are yes

absolutely I mean North Korea serves as

a very important proxy for both of them

given the kind of alignment there is

between China and the and Russia today

uh North Korea plays a very very pivotal

role in terms of its capacity to you

know destabilize the region keep all of

China's adversaries at least within the

sub-region of Northeast Asia of balance

and remind them that regardless of their

efforts to build up their capabilities

as the Ambassador and Mr Chaudhary and

Dr Chaudhary pointed out uh that you

know Japan has revised its military

policy it is in the process of building

up its capabilities it's going it's

raised defense spending significantly

these factors weigh a lot on what the

North Koreans are doing and they have

been egged on and certainly encouraged

by Beijing and Moscow very likely to you

know carry out these tests and they will

continue to do so and they if they test

again nuclear weapons I mean uh nuclear

devices that will be certainly intended

as as Mr chaudia has pointed out towards

developing tactical nuclear weapons

because they would get a more refined

and a more capable uh nuclear Arsenal

okay so more leverage uh North Korea

holds uh the better it is that's what

their strategy seems to be and you know

the more Elbow Room or maneuvering power

out there now Mr Puri you know one more

aspect since you mentioned the

indo-pacific out there and when we look

at it from India's perspective let's

let's try and understand it from that

perspective because because there's

another you know uh multilateral form

quad wherein two of the uh member

nations of the Quad are the countries

which are involved in this crisis to a

very close extent Japan whose prime

minister has asked for a you know uh

emergency session of the U.N security

Council United States against whom North

Korea's entire you know irate seems to

be aimed at

absolutely right I mean these are

countries which are specific parts

and you know their proximity to North

Korea proximity to China these are

extremely important now you know let's

look at it from the Indian perspective

quite apart from flare-ups In the far

East or in the indo-pacific region let's

also remember one thing North Korea has

been aware of its technology including

in our neighborhood and so if they start

perfecting these kinds of things whether

it's besides technical nuclear weapons

Etc and then become

profits for kind of proliferating teeth

what does it mean for our own security

this is a country where its development

of these particular technology is really

out of the Ambit of whatever rule space

I know India is not a member of the npt

and neither other P5 Etc but you know

outside the general purview of what is

under some kind of umbrella some kind of

willingness at least voluntarily by the

countries to abide by the general rules

of the way and so therefore these are

all extremely important matters and for

us it can't be a matter of simply

looking and saying look it's far away

from us it doesn't matter if what they

do with their technology and the fact

that they are now refining these

Technologies moving into areas where

frankly there are very few countries in

the world which are in the possession of

such technology which are lethal okay

okay and and also you know going going

further ahead uh Ambassador Puri do you

see a diplomatic way out of this entire

crisis or or is that something which

given the kind of statements which are

coming in from North Korea and the kind

of responses from both South Korea and

Japan out there is there a room for any

diplomatic dialogue there possibility

has it happened in 2019 with the talks

between President Trump and Kim Jong-un

uh Michelle you know I don't know

sometimes things just happen let's look

at the U.N security Council at the end

of the day it will be the Russian and

the Chinese willing to go along isn't it

now in general we would say they would

not allow North Korea to be condemned or

huge more sanctions levied on them but

you know you never know what kind of

games they are willing to play whether

we the Western Country and they might

just go along some kind of a resolution

I don't know the answers because these

really rest in the real of their own

understanding of their situation their

foreign policy compulsions and more than

that what is it and how is it that they

look at it in terms of domestic quality

now the United States and its situation

whether we China has undergone a number

of Series this balloon business cannot

be underestimated because it was people

in the United States who saw them and

there was reactions of that is that time

so as simple as that they President

Biden is now preparing for the 2024 for

election you see this happening all

around so we don't know exactly the way

they will react okay if you're talking

about diplomacy you know Kim kyun is a

very difficult

um person to be able to diplomatically

tackle having said this how can I coming

from where I am saying that attempts

should not be made and these attempts

need to be both formal as well as

informant and Frankly Speaking if it is

possible to do even under the churned

circumstances to ask the Chinese to step

onto it I heard uh U.S Secretary of

State Anthony blinken mentioned

something of this kind on the television

last night and I sincerely hope that

these kind of leverages

North Korea the U.S China and those

issues are separate try and keep them

separate but a degree of reaching out

and talking to them is particularly

important because the importance

otherwise can be dangerous even if just

accident

ok ok you know how do you see uh the

road to de-escalation ah of course uh

you and earlier Mr Puri have also

pointed out Karthik has also referred to

it that North Korea would not want to

miss any opportunity to you know uh sort

of flex it must its muscles and that

might lead to further tensions but

de-escalation process when we talk about

in the backdrop of the fact that the uh

you know the relations between United

States and China and the United States

and Russia are Frosty at this moment

yes right now it's I wouldn't say that

there seems to be very any likelihood of

much happening uh one is a North Korean

government is a conservative government

president Yoon is not has taken a hard

line a reasonably Hardline on North

Korea's actions uh just after this

missile test I believe they just imposed

a set of sanctions against five entities

and and a bunch of individuals in North

Korea traditionally it's been the left

liberal Coalition government's got

parties and when they're in power that

try to take a softer line on North Korea

uh we have to see my sense is that we

will see North Korea carry out more such

tests and then find out what exactly do

they want to get out of this do they

want to use this as the basis for some

sort of negotiations or concessions are

they doing it with a with a wink and an

eye a wing and a nudge from Beijing

China them cause some problems in this

neighborhood to remind the Americans and

the Japanese that without us they cannot

stabilize stabilize this region

or are they just even trying to or are

they genuinely trying to develop a a new

generation of weapons uh one of the

things we have to watch out for they the

North Koreans in this test announced

that this was a a sudden test an attempt

to test their capacity to launch uh with

with minimal warning uh which is a which

is a kind of thing you do in preparation

for war it's not a type of thing you do

and just preparation for just developing

a program if they carry out more such

tests including tactical training on the

ground with nuclear weapons or technical

then it would be actually a very

dangerous sign because it would indicate

what they are developing is war

preparedness military capacity to

actually fight animal who's just having

a attempt to show what they can do which

would be very which is more traditional

and less of a concern okay okay uh

Gothic you know a final question to you

in terms of the way forward and we have

to look at all the factors here the kind

of statements which have come in from

North Korea or Kim Jong-un sister you

know saying that its actions will depend

upon the U.S Defense Forces action

character that is what they do in

response to these kind of tests that is

one two Japanese prime minister seeking

uh you know emergency session of the

United Nations security Council and if

you look at other actors there as I was

mentioning earlier you know the kind of

relation which as of now exists between

United States and Russia and us and

China as well uh over uh Ukraine Taiwan

balloon issue as well not everything is

hunky-dory here no no it's not the only

thing is that as of now I don't believe

there is much traction at least to see

something done to Tamp down some of

those tensions I think the north will

persist with what it's doing right now

and it's also not conducive to bring

about some kind of uh diplomatic effort

that would at least reduce tensions most

likely what will happen is that there

will be pressure when President Biden

does a visit and when President Biden is

is in the middle of an election year but

when he does meet again with this

Chinese counterpart he will try and

remind him about the importance of you

know keeping some of these tensions down

but apart from that I don't see any

change really happening anytime soon at

least not in the immediate future down

the line perhaps they could be under

some pressure from Moscow and even from

Beijing and the North Koreans could

dampen down but as of now I don't

believe they can be here okay but but

another factor is with Japan helping the

entire business you know it's defense

preparedness that against complicated

situations yeah it does complicate the

situation simply because it's a new

variable today and it's a new variable

even for the Chinese because now they

have to confront a more certain Japan

which they haven't faced since World War

II really or at least since the

Communist Party came to power in China

so they are faced with a completely new

reality and China is the big player is

the biggest player there part from the

U.S in the region so now if Japan starts

to you know become the kind of power it

is and become the kind of military power

that is commensurate to its economic

strength then of course it presents a

new Dynamic altogether okay okay so

there it is that sums up the entire

situation thank you so much karthika and

Mr Puri there as well and uh pramit you

also thank you very much for sharing

your valued inputs out there to try and

make us understand the reasons behind

the tensions in the Korean Peninsula

it's not the first time that North Korea

has fired its missiles or test fired its

missiles over Japan and South Korea into

the Pacific Ocean but this time around

Japan as sought the emergency session of

United Nations security Council and

we'll keep a close track of all the

developments there and keep on bringing

you the detailed analysis on this as

well as several of the topics till then

keep watching Sunset television thank

you

foreign

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