The International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. nuclear watchdog, has given North Korea one last chance to halt its nuclear weapons programs. Pyongyang should seize this opportunity and agree to negotiate. On Monday, the IAEA passed a resolution calling for North Korea to put its nuclear facilities back in mothballs, readmit IAEA inspectors and abandon immediately all attempts to develop nuclear bombs.
The resolution, adopted unanimously at an emergency board meeting in Vienna, is a stern rebuke to North Korea for violating the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. At the same time, however, it gives Pyongyang breathing space, leaving the door open for a peaceful resolution of the crisis triggered by its decision last month to reactivate a nuclear complex in Yongbyon.
The IAEA is right to focus on a diplomatic solution, particularly at a time when North Korea is playing a game of brinkmanship. There is every reason to believe that the reclusive and impoverished Stalinist state is trying, by fanning the crisis, to gain concessions in economic aid and security assurances. Taking hardline steps, such as sanctions, at this time is playing into Pyongyang's hands.