Managing the North Korean Nuclear Crisis

January 18, 2022   Reading Time: < 1 minute

Reading Time: < 1 min read

*Malinda Meegoda

Abstract

North Korea became the tenth country to successfully develop nuclear weapons. However, North Korea is the only country to accede to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of nuclear weapons (NPT) and later withdraw from the treaty to pursue a nuclear weapons program, thus setting a dangerous precedent threatening the integrity of global nuclear-non-proliferation efforts. This paper will aim to detail the strategic reasoning behind North Korea’s decision to maintain its nuclear deterrent capabilities, why past diplomatic efforts have failed to curb North Korea’s nuclear activities and policies. The paper will also outline some policy changes that could be employed to encourage Kim Jung-Un’s regime to place a moratorium on testing, and further expansions of its nuclear weapons program. Finally, the paper will argue for a revitalisation of inter-Korean cooperation to break the current deadlock.

*Malinda Meegoda is a Research Associate at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies LKI. All errors and omissions remain the author’s own. The opinions expressed in this publication are the author’s and not the institutional views of LKI. They do not necessarily reflect the position of any other institution or individual with which the author is affiliated.