28 July 2017

News Story: Restraint, dialogue essential to solving the crisis on the Korean Peninsula

BEIJING, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Tensions have been escalating on the Korean Peninsula with the test-launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile on July 4 by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and a combined ballistic missile exercise a day later by the United States and South Korea aimed at sending Pyongyang a warning.

But there's one simple way to diffuse tensions on the peninsula and in the region, and that is both sides showing restraint.

On Saturday, Joe Dunford, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the DPRK is able to launch a "limited" missile attack and the United States stands ready to defend itself, South Korea and Japan should such an event occur.

At present, there's a dire need for all sides concerned to refrain from actions that may worsen an already fragile and complicated situation. A peaceful settlement must be reached through dialogue and consultation.

The root cause of the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula is, as political analysts have pointed out, mutual strategic suspicions between the DPRK and the United States.

Read the full story at Xinhua