Rand Paul: How to Achieve Peace on the Korean Peninsula

The National Interest   

Both North Korea and China need further assurance that the United States has no desire to topple the Kim regime.

"To every problem there exists a solution—even for a problem as vexing as the two Koreas. Recently, the rhetoric has ratcheted up, and I, for one, fervently hope that diplomacy and problem-solving can avoid war.

"To solve a problem that seems to stump everyone, it is often necessary to consider what others refuse to consider. To solve the Korean problem, it may take considering options that both sides don’t like and think won’t work. If the problem had easy answers, then someone else would have fixed it by now.

"So, notwithstanding that South Korea may not like this option, North Korea may not accept this deal, or that it might not work for a variety of reasons, I respond: “Tell me a better plan.”

"For the Korean standoff and North Korean nuclear bellicosity, I offer this potential solution: invite China to be part of an international force to monitor the Demilitarized Zone in exchange for cessation and dismantling of North Korea’s nuclear program.

"It is often written that what China fears most is that the collapse or defeat of North Korea would lead to U.S. troops on China’s Yalu River border. Take that fear out of the equation by inviting Chinese troops to participate in keeping the peace.

"For that matter, if North Korea would dismantle its nuclear program, invite them to contribute monitors, as well as South Korea, to an international monitoring contingent." . . . 

"China holds the key to peace in Asia. Understanding how to engage China holds the key to avoiding war on the Korean Peninsula. Let’s hope all sides involved will take a look at their positions and do what it takes to avoid war."    Full Article

(This op-ed has been couriered to our State Department, the Chinese, Russian, South Korean and Japanese embassies and transmitted to intermediaries of the North Korean government.)  Rand Paul is a U.S. senator from Kentucky.

His father and erstwhile presidential candidate, Ron Paul's Iran policy as declared was "if we are nice to Iran, they will be nice to us". 
This smacks of previous failed arrangements with the Kims. If China enforces the arrangement this will be a never-ending sword over America's heads and any conflict with China will carry the threat of their releasing the Norks from restrictions. The Tunnel Dweller