The recent seizure of the ship Pong Su off Australian waters and its cargo of more than $144 million of heroin has put North Korea's drug trafficking in the international spotlight.

The attention is long overdue.

North Korea has for many years been deeply involved in the drug trade, and unlike other North Korean misdeeds, there is little debate over or sympathy for its actions. There must be a strong response by the international community and concerted efforts to halt North Korean drug trafficking. The upcoming ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) meeting in Cambodia provides a ready platform to begin this anti-drug effort.

[continues 900 words]