Carter: Talk With North Korea Despite Rogue Actions

Although most experts urge the White House to take a hard line toward North Korea, former President Jimmy Carter urges President Barack Obama to engage in negotiations with the rogue state. “Dealing effectively with North Korea has long challenged the United States. We know that the state religion of this secretive society is ‘juche,’ which means self-reliance and avoidance of domination by others, Carter writes in The Washington Post.

Noting North Korea’s attack of South Korea this week, the former president pointed out that this isn’t the first such action or military threat.

“Pyongyang has sent a consistent message that during direct talks with the United States, it is ready to conclude an agreement to end its nuclear programs, put them all under IAEA inspection and conclude a permanent peace treaty to replace the ‘temporary’ cease-fire of 1953.

“We should consider responding to this offer. The unfortunate alternative is for North Koreans to take whatever actions they consider necessary to defend themselves from what they claim to fear most: a military attack supported by the United States, along with efforts to change the political regime.”