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North Korea has conducted a test of its long-range missile technology specifically designed to threaten the U.S. homeland. The Obama Administration’s diplomacy on nuclear weapons has not worked. And today, North Korea has very little to fear by way of consequences for its actions.

History of North Korea Violations and Feckless Responses

Consistent with his 2008 promises to negotiate with rogue states without precondition, President Obama continues to believe he can talk the North Korean regime out of its weapons programs. This is despite repeated violations.

On February 29 of this year, the State Department announced North Korea had agreed “to implement a moratorium on long-range missile launches” in exchange for 240,000 metric tons of food aid. Over the past 20 years, North Korea has made frequent promises to halt long-range missile launches and nuclear activities. It has broken those promises every time.

The ink was barely dry on this agreement when North Korea announced it would conduct a long-range missile test, which it did on April 13, 2012. The United Nations Security Council issued a Presidential Statement condemning the launch.

Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton called these statements “a toothless gesture of the Council’s opinion.” U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice, on the other hand, called them legally binding, even though at least one organ of the United Nations itself, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, has said they are not. The U.N. also called for sanctions on additional North Korean entities, but sanctioned exactly three companies. The media reported that this “falls far short” of the approximately 40 companies the United States and its allies wanted to sanction.

Today’s missile test is yet another clear violation of North Korea’s international obligations and directly violates U.N. Security Council resolutions on the matter. One media analysis noted today that North Korea in 2010 revealed a uranium-enrichment plant showing an additional pathway to building a nuclear weapon. “At the time that the North revealed the plant, the Obama administration said it would consult with allies about an appropriate response, but the North suffered few consequences. It may be betting that the rocket launching draws a similar response.”

The National Security Council promised today to “work with its Six-Party partners, the United Nations Security Council, and other UN member states to pursue appropriate action.”

What’s Next for U.S. Non-Proliferation and Missile Defense Policy?

First, Congress must be vigilant in ensuring President Obama does not promise Russia to limit our missile defense capabilities in any way. Recall that he told the Russian President he would have “flexibility” to make further capitulations on missile defense “after my election.”

Second, the Obama Administration should consider what additional sanctions it can impose on North Korea for this most recent violation, and Congress should provide any additional authority the President may need. In 2008, Senator Obama said: “If the North Koreans do not meet their obligations, we should move quickly to re-impose sanctions that have been waived, and consider new restrictions going forward.” Senator Obama later outlined what the consequences should be if North Korea did not live up to its agreements: “[W]e should lead all members of the Six Party talks in suspending energy assistance, re-imposing sanctions that have recently been waived, and considering new restrictions.”

In a speech in April 2009, President Obama promised to rid the world of nuclear weapons. He proclaimed in Prague that “rules must be binding. Violations must be punished. Words must mean something.” That same day, the North Koreans conducted a long-range missile test. The President’s response to past violations can hardly be called “punishment.” 

Third, the provision of humanitarian assistance should forever be separated from North Korean promises to do what it already has an international obligation to do.

This latest missile test should finally disabuse the Obama Administration of its belief that North Korea can be negotiated out of its belligerent weapons programs. North Korea’s history is replete with commitments to halt long-range missile tests and nuclear activities, followed quickly by North Korean missile tests and re-started nuclear activities. President Obama has said—before and after taking office—that there must be consequences for North Korea’s violations of its international agreements. So far, those words have not been put into action.