UNITED NATIONS -- North Korea is making renewed war threats against Japan and South Korea if they join the United States in sanctions over its refusal to allow nuclear inspections.
The war threats bring new tension to U.S. efforts to force Pyongyang to respect international accords it signed for its nuclear program, suspected of producing nuclear weapons.
Says the State Department's Julie Reside: "If the intention behind North Korea's bellicose statements is to intimidate . . . they will not succeed."
China, North Korea's only major ally, reiterated its opposition to punitive sanctions. South Korea's foreign minister had flown to Beijing to appeal for China's support. As a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, Beijing could block a sanctions resolution.
The Tokyo government so far has not backed off a pledge to support sanctions. North Korea's threats against Japan appear to be an explicit attempt to intimidate Tokyo into backing down. It will be subject to "a deserving punishment," North Korea says.
Tokyo counseled caution.
"We must avoid remarks that might incite North Korea," Foreign Minister Koji Kakizawa said. "It is important to send the right message."
Japan has reason to be nervous. Major Japanese cities, except Tokyo, lie within range of Rodong-1 missiles that North Korea has been test-launching. The missiles, have an estimated range of 625 miles, enough to reach western Japan.
Secretary of State Warren Christopher said Thursday he's optimistic U.N. sanctions will be imposed on North Korea.
And despite its warlike rhetoric, North Korea has invited former president Jimmy Carter to Pyongyang. He and wife Rosalynn arrive next week.
"My hope is to discuss some of the important issues of the day with leaders in the area," Carter said, adding that his visit is private.
Nevertheless, Carter has received briefings from Clinton administration government officials. Carter has been active in resolving conflicts in Panama, Nicaragua and Sudan.
Robert Gallucci, the special Korea negotiator, told Congress Thursday that sanctions are not imminent: "That is a premature issue."
He says Japanese officials have reassured Washington "they will comply with any U.N. Security Council sanctions resolution."
Japan, a critical U.S. ally in the region, is a key player in the maneuvering for sanctions.
More than 200,000 North Koreans live and work in Japan. They help feed the Pyongyang economy by sending home as much as $ 1 billion a year.
Some experts think Japan would have a hard time cutting off such a money pipeline.
"It would be hard to block it all," says Japan analyst Alan Romberg of the U.S. Institute of Peace.
