A series of U. N. sanctions since 2006 to squeeze North Korea haven’t worked because China continues to aid its ally.
Since North Korea’s first nuclear test in 2006, the United Nations has imposed ever-tightening sanctions on the rogue regime to force it to halt its weapons programs. Yet none achieved that goal, and the reason is always the same, foreign affairs experts say.
China.
China’s government — North Korea’s neighbor, chief political ally and economic lifeline — has supported the sanctions in word. But in action it continues to prop up Kim Jong Un’s autocratic rule.
“The pattern has always been the international community gets excited, ” following nuclear or missile tests, said Jay Lefkowitz, a former U. S. special envoy on human rights in North Korea. “China makes promises, then they abandon those promises.”
The latest sanctions, approved unanimously by the U. N. Security Council on Saturday, won China’s vote and verbal support a day later when Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi issued a stern warning to his North Korean counterpart to avoid another missile launch or nuclear test.
Even so, China has continued to provide North Korea critical aid even in the wake of weapons tests in violation of U. N. resolutions — because it does not want to cause a collapse of the North Korean regime, which serves as a buffer between China and U. S.-ally South Korea, where 28,500 American troops are stationed.
“China is the essential player, ” Lefkowitz said. “China is the nation that could turn the lights out once and for all in North Korea.”
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