The Beat November 2002

Isolating North Korea?
By: Alan Rickam

After repeated denials, North Korea recently admitted to having a nuclear program. This is in complete contravention to the 1994 treaty signed by North Korea, and I can already see people rallying to stop support to the North. Now we all must take a step back and look at the situation, albeit with caution, but also as a whole.

This information did not come from Kim Jong-Il threatening anyone, or in a demand for more aid. It came to light during U.S. - North Korean discussions and consequently was 'leaked' (inappropriately, I believe) by the United States. Due to the “shame principle”, admitting a wrong is difficult to do and must be approached carefully. Yes they are wrong, but that we all automatically jump to the conclusion that this is a threat is not necessarily the wisest course of action.

North Korea admitting during these negotiations that their nuclear program is in fact up and running. What do they have to gain exactly from sharing this information? Why not continue to keep it secret, after successfully hiding for nearly a decade, especially considering President Bush's hard line stance with Iraq? These are the questions that should be asked and answered. The knee-jerk reaction of isolation should be put aside until more information is provided. The process of dialogue and the continuation of aid are of paramount importance in seeing this issue resolved peacefully and with mutual benefits. Once you “draw a line in the sand”, backs will go up, and it will only exacerbate the problem.

The issue here is that North Korea admitted the problem, and one can argue that they are looking for a peaceful solution to this issue. Kim Jong-Il is certainly taking an entirely different tack than we are used to, one only needs to look at recent events: the return of the Japanese abductees, the free trade zone in Shinuiju, and recent participation in the Asian Games.

We are all used to the North threatening in return for more aid, but why jeopardize all of the things they are receiving right now? The two nuclear reactors are being built, de-mining of the DMZ, opening of a train route, increased trade with Japan -- these are all major issues in getting North Korea back on its feet. Why would they risk the wrath of the United States right now?

I believe it is time to step back, take a deep breath, and look from outside the box. North Korea wants to progress socially and economically, not through threats or nuclear power, but through admitting wrongdoing and cleaning it up. Getting ready for the removal of weapons of mass destruction, acceding to global pressure and getting onto its own feet. I for one am ready to listen, before jumping to past conclusions.

Nukes and North Korea
By Dougan McLean

Now that North Korea has willfully admitted to breaching its 1994 arms control pact, its time for international community as a whole, to regain control of the situation. The North Koreans have gone over and beyond testing global patience. Foreign aid including food, fuel, foreign trade zones, and light-water nuclear reactors must be held back. The North Koreans cannot be allowed to extort their existing and would-be benefactors by using nuclear capability as their ammunition.

Taking the hard line with total economic isolation will adversely affect the people trapped within this state prison. Independently funded humanitarian aid programs should be permitted to remain steadfast in their goals. However, federal assistance from the U.S., South Korea, Japan, Russia and particularly China should be suspended immediately as a counter strategy to convince the North that nuclear capability does not mean global power. Until there is prompt action from the North to dismantle their program, and sufficient proof of such, adversaries and allies alike must isolate the North still further.

Channels of communication with the rogue state must persist. Open dialogue is of maximum importance to discover the North‘s intentions for violating non-proliferation treaties and stealthily joining the arms race. The world must convince them that weapons grade elements aren‘t mere bargaining chips. We must convince them that threats will be dealt with swiftly and in a manner that would surely send the Stalinist state spiraling further down the economic ladder. Once there, North Korea would have no choice but to relent. At that point, dismantling any nuclear programs while simultaneously restructuring a viable nation can occur.

Should Pyongyang opt to reprocess already existing fuels, it‘s estimated they have enough plutonium to build 5 nuclear warheads (if they haven‘t already). To speak of using them is to speak of mutually assured destruction. The North is outnumbered and backed into a corner. Should they choose to “go down fighting”; there is no realistic way they would succeed against the economically and militarily superior international community.

There are only three options we have. The world must address concerns and negotiate changes towards Kim Jung-Il‘s system of governance, and further isolate the nation economically. As a last resort, the threat of a pre-emptive strike on Pyongyang may indeed become necessary. Kim Jung-Il‘s word has proved worthless. Full disclosure and communication must be done. Nuclear capabilities must be dealt with swiftly, before a despot has the opportunity to unleash what has become our biggest fear, nuclear war.