An understanding that the nuclear power program is not just about powering the country, but also about weapons. Insider information based on inspections that have been done of the nuclear power program in that country (Busch, 2004)
Unfortunately, these threats can be difficult to address. They may not be as transparent as one would hope, which would mean that there could be much larger and more immediate threats than would be expected (Moltz & Mansourov, 2000)
The ability to have a dialogue with the leaders of the country in an effort to discuss the nuclear program. Sanctions and other options that can be used if North Korea does not comply with inspections and information (Myers & Sang-Hun, 2012)
Some analysts had believed that the Pentagon has inflated the North Korean threat in order to rationalize a missile defense system that would allow the U.S. To fight two wars simultaneously (Feffer, 1999)
Figure 1 - Satellite Image of a Possible Nuclear Enrichment Facility in North Korea (Snyder, 2012) There are also many concerns regarding North Korean proliferation activities with other partners such as Iran. One leaked WikiLeaks cable produced evidence that North Korea had passed ballistic missiles to Iran through China (Lewis, 2010)
North Korea just announced a series of economic reforms under its new leader Kim Jong-un. However, analyses are still speculating about the status of North Korea's nuclear program even though news of this has largely been dropped from the major headlines (Snyder, 2012)
North Korea and the United States have a long history of conflict that has stifled many diplomatic efforts. Furthermore, the United States has backed South Korea since the Second World War and recent military actions by North Korea have also heightened tensions (Yang, Hall, & Vanden, 2010)
Nuclear Weapons in North Korea There is significant strategic concern both on the national and international levels about North Korea's possession and production of nuclear weapons. Initial reactions included outrage and demands for a cease in activities geared toward advancement of nuclear weapons or facilities were quickly replaced by attempts at diplomacy when North Korea refused to cooperate (Barry, 2007)
Despite of all of the efforts made to dissuade and entice North Korea, they will continue to remain a nuclear power. A commitment has been made by North Korea to establish nuclear programs and capabilities and despite their attempts at leading the international community to believe they are cooperating they have continued to engage in these behaviors in an underhanded manner (Kim, 2010)
And requested that the U.S. engage in an nonaggression pact (Laney)
Further when it finally did comply with monitoring requirements, North Korea asked those inspectors to leave when they began to ask questions and to view things that North Korea was not comfortable with (Muravchik, 2003). North Korea has historically taken the position that they are entitled to develop and possess nuclear weapons that they this should be of no concern to other countries (Morgan, 2006)
Yet this should be of little surprise as even after agreeing to the NPT North Korea was not forthcoming about its nuclear programs nor did it make arrangements to allow for the onsite monitoring that the treaty required. Further when it finally did comply with monitoring requirements, North Korea asked those inspectors to leave when they began to ask questions and to view things that North Korea was not comfortable with (Muravchik, 2003)
North Korea is not a state that can exist on its own without the ongoing support of other countries for economic resources as it has a stagnant economy. Yet despite this interdependence, North Korea has historically refused to comply with global attempts to ensure safe and cooperative conduct (Shuja, 2005)
S.'s blanket acceptance of North Korean nuclear programming as has been the case in India and Pakistan (Waldron, 2004)
The family has maintained -control over the entire country, including its economy and military. Although North Korean was ostensibly born as part of a Communist revolution, the country's governance has been more in line with totalitarian dictatorships like that of Stalin or Mao than with genuine communal efforts (Armstrong 361)
North Korea Due to its relative geographic and political isolation, North Korea remains of the most interesting and least understood countries in the world. Nicknamed the "Hermit Kingdom" for its extreme secrecy and attempts at a completely autonomous existence, North Korea has maintained a rocky relationship with West ever since its creation in the aftermath of World War II (French 1)
gov). Instead, they simple serve to provide the appearance of religious freedom to the country, because in reality the government maintains strict controls over meetings and the discussion of any texts that might be considered subversive or contrary to the official line (Havet and Gaudreau 1)
Although most of North Korea's northern border is shared with China, a small strip of that border actually touches the edge of Russia near the northeastern-most area of the country. To the south lies South Korea, and the two countries split the peninsula roughly in half at the famous 38th parallel, which marks the demilitarized zone between each country (Kim, North Korea at the Crossroads 180)
Although most of North Korea's northern border is shared with China, a small strip of that border actually touches the edge of Russia near the northeastern-most area of the country. To the south lies South Korea, and the two countries split the peninsula roughly in half at the famous 38th parallel, which marks the demilitarized zone between each country (Kim, North Korea at the Crossroads 180)
Although most of North Korea's northern border is shared with China, a small strip of that border actually touches the edge of Russia near the northeastern-most area of the country. To the south lies South Korea, and the two countries split the peninsula roughly in half at the famous 38th parallel, which marks the demilitarized zone between each country (Kim, North Korea at the Crossroads 180)