北ミサイル予告 挑発許さぬ意思を明確に示せ

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Send North Korea clear message that missile provocation won’t be tolerated
北ミサイル予告　挑発許さぬ意思を明確に示せ

The international community must stand united and ratchet up the pressure on North Korea to deter that nation from advancing its nuclear and missile programs.
　北朝鮮の核ミサイル開発を阻止するため、国際社会が結束して圧力を強めねばならない。

North Korea has given notice that it will launch a satellite between Feb. 8 and Feb. 25. Although Pyongyang stubbornly insists the launch is for peaceful purposes, it will actually be a launch of a long-range ballistic missile.
　北朝鮮が、２月８～２５日の間に人工衛星を打ち上げると予告した。平和目的だと強弁するが、事実上の長距離弾道ミサイルの発射だ。

A number of U.N. Security Council resolutions prohibit North Korea from conducting launches that use ballistic missile technology. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was quite right to demand that North Korea refrain from going through with the launch, saying, “This would constitute a violation of these resolutions and represent a serious provocation to Japan’s security.”
　国連安全保障理事会は度重なる決議で、北朝鮮に対し、弾道ミサイル技術を使った発射を禁じている。安倍首相が「決議違反であり、我が国の安全保障上の重大な挑発行為だ」として、自制を求めたのは当然である。

On Jan. 6, North Korea pressed ahead with a nuclear test in violation of Security Council resolutions. Its notification of the planned launch has ratcheted up the threat to regional stability even higher. It is essential that the nations concerned work closely together and send a clear message that the launch is not tolerable.
　北朝鮮は１月６日に安保理決議に反して核実験を強行した。発射予告は、地域の安定を一段と脅かすものだ。関係国は緊密に連携し、発射を容認しない意思を明確に打ち出すことが欠かせない。

North Korea has used its nuclear tests to make progress on the miniaturization of a warhead. It is believed to be attempting to boost the capability of its long-range ballistic missiles, including increasing their range, as it seeks to acquire a means to attack the U.S. mainland.
　北朝鮮は、核実験で弾頭の小型化を進めている。米本土を攻撃する手段の獲得を目指し、長距離弾道ミサイルの射程延伸など性能向上も図っているとされる。

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un apparently aims to display his achievements to domestic and international audiences before the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea meets in May for its first convention in 36 years. Scheduling the launch for around the time of important events to mark the birthday of Kim’s father — former leader Kim Jong Il — might also be aimed at enhancing that nation’s prestige.
　金正恩第１書記には、３６年ぶりとなる５月の朝鮮労働党大会を前に、実績を内外に示す狙いがあるのだろう。父親である金正日総書記の誕生日という重要行事前後に発射を予定するのは、国威発揚につなげるためではないか。

China must step up

It is disconcerting that although almost one month has passed since North Korea conducted a nuclear test, the U.N. Security Council has not yet adopted a sanctions resolution. This is because China has opposed U.S. attempts to impose tough sanctions, including an embargo on shipments of fuel to North Korea.
　問題なのは、核実験から１か月近く経過しながら、安保理の制裁決議がいまだに採択されていないことである。米国が燃料類の禁輸など強力な制裁を追求しているのに中国が反対しているからだ。

During his recent visit to China, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry called on Beijing to cooperate in imposing sanctions, as it “has a particular ability because of its special role and its connections to North Korea.” However, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi maintained a fundamental argument from start to finish that any new resolution “must not destabilize the Korean Peninsula.”
　ケリー国務長官が訪中して「中国は北朝鮮への特別な能力と役割を持っている」と述べ、協力を求めた。だが、王毅外相は「決議で朝鮮半島を不安定化させてはならない」と、原則論に終始した。

China’s reluctance to give sanctions more bite has undeniably allowed North Korea to rattle the region by issuing a notification of the upcoming launch. Pyongyang’s launch announcement came on the day Wu Dawei, China’s special representative for Korean Peninsula Affairs, arrived in North Korea for a visit. This indicates China has not exerted enough pressure on North Korea.
　中国が制裁強化に消極的であることが、北朝鮮に発射予告という揺さぶりを許したのは否めまい。北朝鮮は、中国の武大偉・朝鮮半島事務特別代表が訪朝した日に、発射を予告した。中国の圧力が不十分なことを示していよう。

We think China should adjust its lenient attitude toward North Korea, work with Japan, the United States and South Korea — nations calling for stricter sanctions — and do more to ensure the U.N. Security Council quickly adopts a new resolution.
　中国は、北朝鮮への甘い姿勢を改め、「強力な制裁」を求める日米韓と協調して、安保理決議の採択を早急に実現させるべきだ。

There are fears that if North Korea goes ahead with the launch, its missile could fly over the Sakishima islands in Okinawa Prefecture. The government must take every available step to ensure the safety of residents.
　ミサイルが発射された場合、沖縄県の先島諸島上空を通過する恐れがある。政府は、国民の安全確保に万全を期さねばならない。

The defense minister has issued a “destructive measures order” to the Self-Defense Forces. Interceptor missiles on Aegis destroyers and Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) surface-to-air guided missile units have been put on alert to shoot down the missile if required. It also will be important to make preparations to ensure early warning information is smoothly conveyed through channels, including the “J-Alert” national instant warning system.
　自衛隊には「破壊措置命令」が出されている。イージス艦の迎撃ミサイルと、地対空誘導弾「ＰＡＣ３」で迎撃する態勢をとる。全国瞬時警報システム「Ｊアラート」などを通じ、早期警戒情報を円滑に伝達する準備も重要だ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 4, 2016)