US says NKorea will "pay a price" for nuclear test
By Channel NewsAsia's Washington correspondent, Daniel Ryntjes | Posted: 27 May 2009 2228 hrs

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WASHINGTON: The United States says North Korea will face consequences for defying the international community after its recent nuclear test.

In response to this nuclear test, the US governments says North Korea will "pay a price" for its actions.

But the question being posed by reporters in Washington is “what exactly is this price going to be?"

US State Department Spokesman Ian Kelly said: "We want to have a resolution that provides a strong response from the Security Council to this provocation from North Korea."

The US wants the North to return to the six party talks involving Russia, China, the US, South Korea and Japan.

Kelly said: "Patience obviously is not infinite. But we feel that the door does still remain open, that we are ready to engage."

Analysts are wondering what the Obama administration will do, given that all attempts to engage with the North have ground to a halt.

Michael Auslin, Director of Japan Studies, American Enterprise Institute, said: "The point is we don't have any good options. And if we say we're just going to go back to the talks, and we're going to expect North Korea to go back to the talks, then we're going to be back in that circle of nothing happening."

Aside from the diplomatic track, the US has welcomed South Korea's decision to join the Proliferation Security Initiative. This US-led project aims to use intelligence and naval resources to intercept illegal shipments of nuclear technology.

Auslin said: "That can be very effective. North Korea is geographically isolated and if we have Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and some others helping us, we would really be able to control the sea lanes where North Korea would be trying to ship anything out. And that's very important to have, that capability, that understanding between partners.”

The Obama administration says it is now considering various options, beginning with negotiations on a new UN Security Council resolution.

But the US is providing no new details on any further policy response, should the North continue to defy international pressure.

- CNA/yt