Editorial: Iraq is one issue, N. Korea is another

Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2003 | 9:13 a.m.

President Bush is being criticized almost daily by opinion writers, editorial cartoonists and TV pundits for continuing to plan a military response against Iraq while directing only a war of words against North Korea. Most critics seem to be saying that Bush should adopt a cookie-cutter policy -- what's good for Iraq is good for North Korea. Our view, however, is that Bush is correct to stay the course on Iraq without -- for now -- getting militarily sidetracked by the developments in North Korea. Iraq's Saddam Hussein has tried the world's patience for too long -- he has no time left for negotiation.

This is not true with North Korea. We cannot allow the country to step up its nuclear arms capabilities, but there is still time for diplomacy in this sphere of the world. Bush set himself up for criticism when he linked Iraq and North Korea, calling them, along with Iran, an "axis of evil." But the fact remains that North Korea's history, neighbors and alliances are entirely different from Iraq's. If the time comes, yes, we could begin mobilizing for war against North Korea. But unlike with Iraq, that time has not yet arrived.