North Korea states 'nuclear war is unavoidable' as it declares first target will be Japan

[pampango]

62. As I read the UN's position, having a nuclear deterrent is not a 'crime against humanity', but

threatening a 'first use' of nuclear weapons (as opposed to having the capability to retaliate) is such a crime.

While it may be satisfying to go back and prosecute those who used or threatened to use nuclear weapons as a 'first strike' before the UN declared it to be a 'crime against humanity', it would only be useful against leaders who are still alive. Prosecuting Truman for authorizing the atomic bombing of Japan - or any past leader of a nuclear-capable country who threatened a 'first use' - would result in 'show trials' since those responsible cannot be punished unless they are still alive. I suppose we could task the International Criminal Court with prosecuting dead people to make a point but that is a separate decision.

There have, of course, been many apologies by Japan to Korea, China and other countries. There is still plenty of controversy as to whether these apologies were sufficient. Japan did pay for its crimes in Korea. Whether that was sufficient is a subjective matter, as well.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_war_apology_statements_issued_by_Japan#Comments_clarifying_past_apologies
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_on_Basic_Relations_between_Japan_and_the_Republic_of_Korea