北ミサイル発射 地域の安定を揺るがす暴挙だ

The Yomiuri Shimbun
North Korea missile launch needs strong UNSC response
北ミサイル発射　地域の安定を揺るがす暴挙だ

　◆安保理は厳格な制裁決議を急げ

North Korea’s latest missile launch has further increased the threat from that country, which is shaking the regional peace and stability. The international community must unite in its efforts to deal with the threat.
　地域の平和と安定を揺るがす北朝鮮の脅威が一段と増大した。国際社会は結束し、対応せねばならない。

North Korea has gone ahead with launching a long-range ballistic missile under the pretext of orbiting what it described as a “satellite.” It is an absolute folly.
　北朝鮮が「人工衛星打ち上げ」との名目で、長距離弾道ミサイルの発射を強行した。愚挙の極みである。

In an “important special broadcast,” state-run Korean Central Television announced that the country had launched an Earth observation satellite and successfully put it into orbit.
　国営の朝鮮中央テレビは「特別重大報道」で「地球観測衛星を打ち上げ、軌道への進入に完全に成功した」と発表した。

U.N. Security Council resolutions previously adopted over North Korea’s nuclear weapon and missile development prohibit Pyongyang from any launch using ballistic missile technology. The country’s latest missile launch, along with January’s nuclear test, was a clear violation of the resolutions.
　北朝鮮の核・ミサイル開発を巡る国連安全保障理事会の決議は、弾道ミサイル技術を使った発射を禁じている。今回の発射が、１月の核実験と同様に、決議に違反しているのは明白だ。

Increasing concern
　◆懸念増す核運搬技術

North Korea’s repeated reckless conducts, which pose a serious challenge to the international order, cannot be tolerated. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had every reason to emphasize his determination, saying, “We will resolutely take measures, acting in cooperation with the international community.”
　度重なる暴挙は、国際秩序への深刻な挑戦であり、決して容認できない。安倍首相が「国際社会と連携して、毅然きぜんと対応していく」と強調したのは当然である。

The missile recently launched by North Korea is believed to have been a three-stage ballistic missile similar to an improved version of the Taepodong 2 missile, a model the country sent aloft in December 2012. According to observations by the U.S. authorities, an object detached from the missile is believed to have circled the Earth.
　北朝鮮が発射したのは、前回の２０１２年１２月の「テポドン２改良型」に類似した３段式の弾道ミサイルとみられている。米当局の観測によると、ミサイルから分離された物体が地球を周回した模様だ。

The fact that it reached outer space like in 2012, illustrates advancement in that nation’s missile technology. Some point out North Korea’s extension of a launchpad last year was part of an effort to increase the size of its missiles, thereby extend the range.
　前回に続いて宇宙空間にまで到達したことは、北朝鮮のミサイル技術の前進を裏付ける。昨年の発射台の延長工事は、ミサイル大型化で射程を伸ばす目的だったとの見方もある。

North Korea’s effort to develop missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads and reaching the U.S. mainland is aimed at bringing the United States to the negotiating table.
　北朝鮮は、米本土を核搭載ミサイルで攻撃できる能力を確立することで、米国を交渉の場に引き出すのが狙いだろう。

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, is inexperienced and rules his country through a reign of terror in which close aides are purged one after another. We feel the latest missile launch shows he has become even more incapable of making reasonable decisions.
　経験が乏しい金正恩第１書記は側近を次々に粛清する恐怖政治を敷いている。ミサイル発射は、ますます合理的な判断ができなくなっている証左ではないのか。

The U.N. Security Council is to discuss the latest missile launch at an emergency meeting. It is essential for the council to hammer out effective measures. Japan, a nonpermanent member of the council, needs to proactively work to encourage other members of the U.N. organ to adopt strong sanctions against North Korea.
　安保理は緊急会合で、発射問題を協議する。実効性のある措置を打ち出すことが肝要だ。非常任理事国の日本も、強力な制裁決議の採択を他の理事国に積極的に働きかける必要がある。

China’s responsibility
　◆中国の責任は重大だ

The problem is that China, which holds a lifeline that can determine whether North Korea can survive economically, remains cautious about strengthening sanctions. Although Beijing said North Korea’s missile launch was “regrettable,” it avoided any strong denunciation of Pyongyang.
　問題なのは、経済面で北朝鮮の生命線を握る中国が、制裁強化に慎重姿勢を崩していないことだ。中国政府は発射に「遺憾」を表明したが、厳しい非難は避けた。

Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke by phone with U.S. President Barack Obama two days before the missile launch and confirmed the need for a coordinated response to North Korea’s actions.
　習近平国家主席はミサイル発射の２日前、オバマ米大統領と電話会談し、連携して北朝鮮に対応することを確認していた。

Yet Xi insisted only on a solution through dialogue and consultation, indicating that it will not compromise with the United States, which called for stronger sanctions.
　しかし、習氏は「対話と協議を通じて問題を解決する」と語るだけで、強力な制裁を追求する米国への歩み寄りを見せなかった。

China’s lukewarm posture may have bolstered North Korea. Shortly after the U.S.-China phone conversation, North Korea notified an international organization that it was bringing forward the start of the window during which it would launch a rocket.
　こうした中国の中途半端な姿勢が、北朝鮮を増長させたのではないか。北朝鮮は、米中電話会談の直後、国際機関に対して発射予告期間の前倒しを通告した。

North Korea has repeatedly conducted nuclear tests and missile launches. It is obvious that previous sanctions are not sufficient.
　北朝鮮は核実験とミサイル発射を繰り返している。従来の制裁が不十分なのは明らかだろう。

China should no longer avoid imposing sanctions on North Korea, which would deal a blow to Pyongyang, and should cooperate with the U.N. Security Council to adopt strong sanctions.
　中国は北朝鮮に打撃を与える制裁をこれ以上回避せず、安保理決議の採択に協力すべきだ。

In criticizing the launch, South Korean President Park Geun-hye said North Korea is trying to advance its nuclear technology and missile capability to deliver a nuclear weapon.
　朴槿恵韓国大統領は、発射を非難し、「北朝鮮は核と、その運搬手段であるミサイル能力を高度化しようとしている」と断じた。

The South Korean government announced that it would begin official talks with the United States to deploy one of the most advanced U.S. missile defense systems in South Korea. Seoul’s decision, made in disregard of China’s opposition, can be construed as a decision to modify its tilt toward China.
　韓国政府は、最新鋭の米ミサイル防衛システムの韓国配備について、米国と公式協議を行うと発表した。中国の反対を押し切っての決定で、対中傾斜を修正する意思の表れだと言えよう。

North Korea is said to have deployed a large number of Rodong ballistic missiles that can reach Japan. If North Korea improves the accuracy of the missiles, they will, together with the country’s ability to develop smaller nuclear weapons, pose a more serious threat to Japan.
　北朝鮮は、日本を射程に収める弾道ミサイル・ノドンを大量に実戦配備しているとされる。ミサイルの精度が向上すれば、核兵器の小型化と相まって、日本にとっても脅威が深刻化する。

Immediately after the missile launch, the Japanese government held a meeting of the National Security Council attended by its four ministers, to analyze intelligence and discuss what actions should be taken in the days ahead.
　政府はミサイル発射の直後に、国家安全保障会議（ＮＳＣ）の４大臣会合を開いて、情報を分析し、今後の対応などを協議した。

Three minutes after the missile launch, the government reported the relevant information to local governments in Okinawa Prefecture and others, through the J-Alert instant warning system. The smooth transmission of this information was praiseworthy.
　政府は発射の３分後、全国瞬時警報システム「Ｊアラート」で沖縄県の自治体などに情報を速報した。概おおむね円滑な情報伝達が行われたのは評価できる。

Bolster crisis control
　◆危機管理体制を万全に

Although the Self-Defense Forces had been ordered to intercept any incoming missiles from North Korea, no measures to intercept were taken, as the SDF judged that there was no possibility of the missile falling onto Japanese territory.
　自衛隊には、「破壊措置命令」が出されていたが、ミサイルが国内に落下する恐れはないと判断し、迎撃措置は取らなかった。

It was appropriate that the SDF, by responding promptly to North Korea’s advancing the start of the window for launching a rocket, had completed its deployment of the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) surface-to-air guided missile units and other preparations.
　北朝鮮の発射予告期間の前倒しに迅速に対処し、自衛隊が地対空誘導弾ＰＡＣ３などの配備を完了させたのは適切だった。

It is essential to examine the latest series of responses and beef up the crisis-management system for the entire country.
　今回の一連の対応を検証し、日本全体の危機管理体制を強化することが欠かせない。

North Korea has also postponed its report on the reinvestigation of the abducted Japanese nationals. The government should consider in earnest the revival or reinforcement of its own sanctions that were lifted earlier.
　北朝鮮は、日本人拉致被害者の再調査の報告も先送りしている。政府は、解除した独自制裁の復活や強化を真剣に検討すべきだ。

As North Korea has continued taking actions that completely run counter to improving its relations with Japan, this country will implement harsh measures commensurate to the steps taken by North Korea. It is important for this country to adhere to the principle of “action for action.”
　北朝鮮が対日関係改善に完全に逆行する行動を続けた以上、日本は、それに見合う厳しい措置を取る。「行動対行動」の原則を貫くことが重要である。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 8, 2016)