Direct talks between Washington and Pyongyang the only solution to Korean crisis
Sanctions have not worked, a missile defence system is not foolproof and war is unthinkable; dialogue is the only sensible answer

Donald Trump’s strategy towards North Korea is such a failure that a different US tack is obviously needed. Sanctions and threats have not prevented Kim Jong-un’s regime from developing rockets apparently capable of carrying nuclear warheads to the American mainland, as last week’s second successful test of an intercontinental ballistic missile showed. The US leader’s response was yet more criticism of Beijing for not doing enough to stop Pyongyang’s weapons programmes, further testing of a missile defence system and the flying of bombers over the Korean peninsula, all in the wake of yet more sanctions approved by the US Congress.
That leaves only three options – stronger defences, military conflict or dialogue. The United States and its ally, Japan, have stepped up pressure on China to impose tougher sanctions and Trump is reportedly looking at trade measures against Beijing to force action. But security on the Korean peninsula and beyond and trade between China and the US are unrelated issues. Sanctions do not work; Kim has flouted with impunity those imposed against his country by the United Nations and others, enabling uninterrupted weapons development. As China’s ambassador to the UN, Liu Jieyi, pointed out, it is primarily up to Washington and Pyongyang, not Beijing, to reduce tensions and find a solution.