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Since the second North Korean nuclear test, an impasse has been developing. As nations have begun taking concrete steps to execute United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions on North Korea, North Korea’s protests have only grown stronger.

South Korea and Japan held concentrated discussions to cooperate in their response to North Korea during the South Korea-Japan summit on Sunday in an effort to strengthen the pressure both nations have been putting on North Korea. In another unprecedented move, the U.S. has formed a joint-task force to execute the sanctions resolution, with Philip Goldberg, the former U.S. Ambassador Bolivia, named as its head. This reveals the intention of the Obama administration to lend force to pressure on North Korea for the time being and distinguish its current actions from the former activities of special envoys Stephen Bosworth or Sung Kim.

Of course, more than hardline moves are taking place. Chinese ambassador to Korea Cheng Yonghua said that sanctions on North Korea were not the goal of the UNSC’s actions, and political and diplomatic means were the only certain and enforceable ones that could resolve the problems of the Korean Peninsula. Cheng’s statements emphasized efforts to resolve the nuclear issue through dialogue. The plan to convene five-party talks as called for by President Lee Myung-bak, too, seems to be falling out of favor due to Chinese opposition. Moreover, the U.S.’s review of its North Korea policy is expected to quicken now that Kurt Campbell has been confirmed as Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs and he has emphasized a will to seek a comprehensive solution to the nuclear issue.

A response to North Korea’s unilateral provocations, including its nuclear tests and long-range rocket launches, is unavoidable, but one cannot fundamentally resolve the nuclear issue with sanctions alone. Significant progress made in the past on the nuclear issue was the result of dialogue, not sanctions. It is also unrealistic to expect China to actively participate in pressure on North Korea. To the contrary, China is showing wariness of louder hardline voices coming from South Korea that are acting in concert with Japan.

At times like this, South Korea’s attitude plays a significant part. To strangle inter-Korean relations and to focus only on strengthening sanctions is to remove itself from being part of a solution to the nuclear issue. If the U.S. begins negotiations with North Korea, South Korea could be pushed from the center, as was the case during the Kim Young-sam administration. As the solution is ultimately in comprehensive negotiations, it is the right path for South Korea to establish its own independent negotiating plan to convince the U.S. and North Korea. South Korea should also take on a new approach towards changing currently hostile inter-Korea relations, where even humanitarian aid has been stopped.

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