&#91EDITORIALS&#93Your move, Pyeongyang

The meeting of the Group of Eight nations ended Tuesday in Evian, France, by adopting a declaration on the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the means of their delivery. The declaration and the chair’s summary that wrapped up the meeting mentioned Iran in addition to North Korea in their warnings, but it is natural that our attention is focused on the North Korean nuclear problem.
France, Germany and Russia, which opposed the United States’ stance on how the war on Iraq was waged, joined in the strong call to North Korea to scrap its nuclear program. This shows the determination of the international community that a nuclear-armed North Korea will not be tolerated.
The Group of Eight warned that it can consider “other measures” of military means or strict sanctions against the spread of weapons of mass destruction, besides existing nonproliferation measures and international treaties such as the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, export controls and diplomacy.
The statement by the eight nations, which dominate the world, is a reflection of the international community’s determination to face the North Korean nuclear problem. It is also a stern warning to the North of what could happen if it continues to be trapped in its narrow view of the world and tries to cling to a distorted view of reality.
What is fortunate is that the Group of Eight has yet to indicate an intention to use force against the North. The group is certainly still committed to the idea of a peaceful resolution. And that is why the North must realize the situation and take the road to peaceful resolution. The North must realize that brinkmanship will bring disaster to the peninsula.
North Korea must understand that its future lies not in nuclear capability but only in dialogue and cooperation with the international community. There is still time left, and North Korea must heed the warnings of the Group of Eight and accept the demand for cooperation. That is the way to peace.