Background
The specter of North Korea’s nuclear ambitions looms large over the international community. North Korea’s first test of a nuclear weapon occurred in 2006, and since then the country has conducted five more tests in 2009, 2013, 2016 and 2017, further nuancing the world’s opinion of North Korea’s nuclear capabilities. North Korea has become a very real nuclear threat not only to its neighbors and the United States, but to the entire world. North Korea has openly stated that their goal is to build an arsenal of nuclear weapons. The question is why isn’t the North Korean government allowed to have them, and more importantly, how do we prevent them from obtaining nuclear weapons?
International Climate
The prevailing international climate is one of deep mistrust concerning North Korea, as can be seen in the stance of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). In response to North Korea’s nuclear tests, the UNSC passed a series of resolutions intended to increase pressure on North Korea to denuclearize, including an Arms Embargo, travel bans and asset freezes. In 2018, North Korea agreed to work towards complete denuclearization, but this process stalled when disagreements over denuclearization monitoring arose between North Korea and the UNSC.
The sentiment of the international community reflects a great deal of fear and concern over North Korea’s nuclear ambitions. Because nuclear weapons are one of the most destructive and destabilizing forces in world politics, it is in the interest of all nations to work together to prevent or reduce the possession or proliferation of such weapons.
Security Considerations
The primary reason why it is not possible or desirable for North Korea to have nuclear weapons is that they are incredibly powerful weapons of mass destruction (WMD). The use of WMDs, such as nuclear weapons, has long been considered a crime against humanity and is thus banned in most international treaties and agreements. Consequently, preventing North Korea from obtaining these weapons is seen as a necessary measure for global security and stability.
When weighing the security implications of North Korea having nuclear weapons, the main arguments are mostly focused on the potential for North Korean aggression in the region. Many experts believe that, if North Korea were to obtain nuclear weapons, the government would be more likely to act more aggressively towards its neighbors in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. This could lead to a destabilization of the entire area and could even lead to a global conflict.
Economic Considerations
The North Korean economy is a major factor in its nuclear ambitions. North Korea is one of the most impoverished countries on Earth and relies heavily on the international community to keep the country running. Therefore, a regime armed with nuclear weapons could be seen as a threat to international business interests and stability in the region. It is well known that many international companies have been avoiding investing in North Korea due to their nuclear ambitions and the resulting uncertainty.
A further economic consideration is the effect of sanctions on North Korea. In response to their nuclear ambitions, the UNSC has imposed several economic sanctions on North Korea in an effort to dissuade them from further development of nuclear weapons. These sanctions include the freezing of North Korean assets and include restrictions on trade with the country, including restrictions on imports and exports.
Political Considerations
The potential political implications of North Korea having nuclear weapons are of great concern to many countries, not just those in the Asia-Pacific region. The most immediate concern is the potential for North Korean aggression against other nations. It is highly likely that, if North Korea was armed with a nuclear weapon, the country would be much more likely to use it than a nation without nuclear weapons. This could lead to severe consequences, not only in the region, but around the world.
The other political concern is the effect such weapons would have on the global balance of power. It is no secret that many powerful countries are deeply concerned about the rise of North Korea and its nuclear ambitions. A North Korea armed with nuclear weapons would disrupt the existing balance of power and could potentially be used as a bargaining chip in negotiations with other nations. This would have a destabilizing effect on international relations and could have far-reaching consequences.
Analysis of the Potential Outcomes
Despite the united front presented by the UNSC and the international community, North Korea continues to pursue the production of nuclear weapons. It is imperative that North Korea be prevented from having nuclear weapons; even the suggestion of them having an arsenal could be destabilizing for regional and global stability.
It is also essential that a political solution is reached with North Korea rather than a military one. The risk of a war in the region is far too great, and it is likely that North Korea would use nuclear weapons in a conflict situation. Therefore, all diplomatic measures must be taken to ensure that North Korea does not acquire nuclear weapons.
Conclusion
It is clear that the dangers posed by North Korea having nuclear weapons are immense and should be avoided at all costs. For this reason, the international community must use all diplomatic means available to ensure that North Korea does not acquire or develop such weapons. This includes international sanctions, negotiations, and close monitoring of the country. As long as the world remains united and cautious, the chances of North Korea developing a nuclear arsenal are greatly reduced.
