As the whole continent continues to watch the development in the Korean Peninsula, it has become certain that peace would reign in the region in not too distant future.
Last February President Donald Trump of the United States of America (USA) and North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un met in Vietnam in what observers believe was aimed at achieving everlasting peace and finding lasting solution to the age-long acrimony and show of power.
The two-day talks in Vietnam failed to achieve the desired goals because of the demand by the US authority that North Korea should embark on denuclearisation of her nuclear weapons first, which the North Korea has vehemently rejected, citing mistrust among the nations and mounting pressure on her.
Despite the futility of the meeting, it somehow paved way for another meeting this time between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean Leader Kim in Vladivostok, Russia, where Kim has looked for support and security guarantee from Russia. The assurance by Putin to continue to support North Korea on her denuclearisation position notwithstanding, there is the strong need for the whole world to prevail on the North Korean leader to have a re-think on the nuclear power.
North Korea should denuclearise in order for peace and security in the region as well as in the interest of humanity.
What has become imperative at this time when America, China and Russia want to exhibit their superior power is for the whole world to condemn their divide and rule tactics on the crisis in the Korean Peninsula, and to explore any avenue to achieve peace and stability in the area. Surrounding powers of the Korean Peninsula should never engage in cold war tactics of trying to expand their own sphere of influence, creating more problems on the Korean Peninsula.
President Putin supporting North Korea’s stand on the nuclear test will not benefit any one at the end.
North Korea should also need to talk with South Korea in a more serious manner as both Koreas should be key players in resolving issues on the Korean Peninsula. The two Koreas need to come to terms and draw up an agreement that will douse the tension in the area through various talks, including summit meetings.
To us at the Journalists for Peace in Korean Peninsula (JPKP) Nigeria, it is our mandate that we must preach peace and stability across the globe, especially with the unfortunate development in the Peninsula which we believe has continued to have negative impact on both brotherly countries.
We are of the belief that the absence of peace and peaceful co-existence anywhere in the world is unacceptable to us. The support by Russia and China for North Korea is welcomed, but the two countries must tread softly on the issue of Korean Peninsula in order not to create another confrontation. They should come in as genuine mediators rather than telling one-side stories despite the world crying against the nuclear war.
They should realize that the test of North Korean nuclear weapon is bad not only for the United States of America or South Korea alone but for the entire humanity. The test-firing of weapons few days ago by North Korea is not the best for peace, North Korea should refrain from testing of weapons and embrace dialogue with South Korea and others countries War in the peninsula will destroy the region and this generation and next would never forgive their present leaders.
Meanwhile, the Journalists for Peace in Korea Peninsula (JPKP) has called for concerted efforts among the players in the denuclearisation in Korean Peninsula to address the issue of peace and peaceful co-existence among the two North and South Koreas with all honesty and commitment.
In a statement issued in Kaduna recently, the JPKP noted with dismay the involvement of other countries in the impasse which ordinarily would have been treated as a disagreement between two brothers.
According to the statement, this is not the best of time for any nation whatever her interest to take side and further polarise the age long acrimony between the South and North Koreas.
The JPKP believes that what should be the solution to the crises is needed very urgently in the area for peace and economic prosperity.
The statement appealed to North Korea authorities to accept denuclearisation of her nuclear weapons and the hand of fellowship by the leadership of South Korea and therefore countries meddling into the crises must not make any inciting comments over the issue.
It called on those countries involved in discussions such as USA, China and Russia to serve as mediators in a move to find solutions to the disagreement rather than making statements that will create more problems and make peaceful solution impossible and difficult.
“It is our candid hope that the meeting between President Putin of Russia and North Korean Leader which has been commended by many including the President of America Donald Trump will go a long way to pave way for earlier resolutions”, the group added.
Tajudeen Tijjani, Chairman, JPKP, Nigeria, writes from No. 6A Muhammadu Buhari Way, Kaduna – Nigeria.
