Time for stronger response to Pyongyang

Los Angeles

NORTH Korea's continuing nuclear dance with the ultimate weapon, déjà vu all over again, is becoming all too serious, and it's time for Washington and allies think sensibly about how to deal with what they cannot change.

The North's fifth detonation of an atomic device following the recent launch of a submarine ballistic missile and a slew of other rocket tests into the Sea of Japan add yet more layers to its mounting nuclear capacity. Coupled with the test of a space satellite, display of mobile solid-fuelled rockets and expanding nuclear weapons material production, it's evident that Pyongyang is on the cusp of becoming a credible nuclear-armed state.

Less evident is how the international community intends to cope. Wedded to conviction that a nuclear North simply cannot be, the community seems stuck in a time warp. Despite the Kim regime's nuclear persistence, the United Nations Security Council stammers with repeated condemnations and impotent sanctions: Pyongyang is in "flagrant disregard" and "grave violation" of resolutions. The body "deplores" missile tests that "contribute ... to the development of nuclear weapons delivery systems and increase tensions". It calls on member states to "redouble their efforts" to implement sanctions and the Kim government "must fully compl…