China must rein in Pyongyang’s nuclear actions before it’s too late

Deng Yuwen and Huang Ting say Beijing can no longer be in two minds over its long-time ally’s atomic ambitions, as the strategic and security fallout could be immense

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un appears delighted at the test firing of a strategic submarine-launched ballistic missile. The country’s fifth nuclear test on September 9 was its biggest to date. Photo: AFP

Published: 11:43am, 16 Sep 2016Updated: 7:31pm, 16 Sep 2016

North Korea’s fifth and biggest nuclear test shocked the world, as it is now believed that Pyongyang has made significant technological breakthroughs.

The blast was full of symbolism, taking place on the 68th anniversary of the country’s founding and soon after the G20 Hangzhou ( 杭州 ) summit. It delivers a message that Pyongyang is committed to nuclear weapons and will not abandon its programme even with outside pressure.

For China, the test not only further worsens the geostrategic environment, it lays a more solid moral foundation for the US and South Korea to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence missile system. Extensive domestic opposition in South Korea to THAAD will also fade as a result.

A protest rally in Seoul against the deployment of the THAAD missile system on September 9, but such opposition may fade if North Korea persists with nuclear tests. Photo: AP

Has North Korea already prepared for its next nuclear test?

China had a good opportunity to interrupt Pyongyang’s dream of becoming a nuclear state when Kim Jong-un had just come to power and sought help to reinforce his regime. However, it missed that chance and it is now difficult to force Kim to change his stance as he has consolidated his power base. Further, harsh UN sanctions don’t appear to have had any real impact.