Open Skies for Peace over Korea

North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile development are a threat not just to Asia, but also the United States. In time North Korean missiles, armed with nuclear weapons, may be capable of striking the United States.

Of course, nuclear fears are nothing new, as we have lived with them since the early years of the Cold War. The Soviet Union tested a hydrogen bomb in 1953 and then four years later an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Diplomacy was critical for managing the Cold War dangers and is so for new nuclear threats like North Korea. We need to unleash the full diplomatic arsenal, including an open skies agreement between North Korea and South Korea. We can use our own relationship with Russia as an example.

In recent years, Russian military planes have flown over the United States taking photographs of military-related facilities. These missions are part of the Open Skies Treaty which includes Russia, the United States, Canada and over 30 European nations. Each country is allowed to send unarmed peace planes to fly over and inspect the other treaty members, building cooperation and trust.

In fact, when the Russians fly over the United States there are American officers on board with them. Why not apply this open skies concept to the Koreas?

On the Korean peninsula, aerial inspection could help reduce tensions and suspicions between the North and South. Military contacts would be enhanced by these cooperative flights. Inspection routines would be strengthened to help forge more complicated agreements on disarmament.

The U.S. and its allies could promote open skies for the Koreas through a demonstration flight. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute has advocated a trial flight involving North and South Korea.

Open Skies can be one of many diplomatic tools that can help rejuvenate the peace process on the Korean peninsula.