Introduction to International Politics
Foreign Event Analysis
| Locale | ![[]](http://www.kvasaheim.com/flags/flag15-kp.png "Flag of Korea (North)") | Korea (North) |
|---|---|---|
| Title |
North Korea Beings Nuclear Process Again
| |
| Summary |
North Korea took a major step to re-establish its nuclear ambitions by asking international inspectors to remove seals on it previously disabled nuclear complex in Yongbyon. UN surveillance cameras were also removed. North Korea, led by Kim Jong-Il has been locked in discussions for years over their nuclear ambitions with South Korea, China, Russia and Japan. This is a very aggressive step by North Korea that the United States is not taking lightly.
| |
| Analysis |
It has been said that North Korea has decided to remove the seals on their nuclear complex in response to the United States refusing to remove North Korea from its list of state sponsors of terrorism. By taking this stance against the United States, the world’s super power, North Korea is trying to reestablish itself as a regional power in Asia. North Korea was expecting to be taken off the United States’ list of state sponsors of terrorism since it submitted an account of its nuclear facilities in June 2007 and since it blew up the main cooling tower as a symbol of its commitment to disarm. Since the United States has refused to take North Korea off its list, the North Koreans have taken the seals off their nuclear complex, which is a symbol of the opposite agenda, they are threatening to restart their nuclear process. North Korea does not want to be at the whim of the United States and has chosen to stand up to us.
If North Korea is able to follow through on their nuclear ambitions, they will establish themselves as a more powerful nation. The world will have to keep a close eye on Kim Jong-Il. This poses a security dilemma for the surrounds states in the Asian region and will shift the balance of power not only in Asia. No longer will China and Japan be the major focus of the region. The nuclear ambitions of North Korea will make them a serious threat to the world.
Although the United States still mains open to further discussions with North Korea on their obligations to disarm, they take this aggressive step by North Korea very seriously. It could take up to a year to bring Yongbyon back into commission, however, plutonium can be reprocessed from existing fuel rods and be functional in two to three months. There is enough plutonium in these rods to create one atomic bomb to add to the North Korean arsenal. | |
| Perspective |  | Realist |
| In-Region URL | ||
| Out-of-Region URL | ||
| Submitted | September 25, 2008 at 11:57 am | |
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