North Korea and Nuclear Weapons

Trump wants Pyongyang on the negotiating table.

The US and its allies are still continuously threatening the North Korea over the issue of Nuclear Weapons.  Deep down the terms they want Kim Jong-un to come upon an agreement that would end up the process of nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Trump has clearly said that there would be no approval to the nuclear tests by the North Koreans. Indeed, Trump and his predecessors have always maintained the statement of a nonnuclear North Korea. But why does North Korea wants Nuclear weapons?

 

Leader of North Korea addressing

The Korean War of 1950 was never officially ended and for the years up to 1953 both sides have continued displaying attitude of war. North Korea has since pursued nuclear weapons for defensive reasons and there is a chance that it may reunite Korea under Kim’s regime. In fact, North Korea has decided to reunite the Korean Peninsula under a single dynasty by weapon tests. This strategic aim in mind makes more sense of North Korean nuclear developments.

But why North Korea is building intercontinental ballistic missiles?

Al though, North Korea is building intercontinental ballistic missiles but, to attack South Korea these sorts of weapons would not be necessary.  Of course, Seoul: the capital of South Korea is just 35 miles from the 38^th parallel line. In fact, North Korea has already had the ability to detonate nuclear devices towards its neighbors via short and medium term missiles for years. ICBM as I’ve analyzed would provide deterrence in any event of reunification.

 

North Korean missile range

ICBM

Kim Jong-un thinks that intercontinental ballistic missile will halt the United States from interfering. As can be seen, more people are getting convinced at the argument of reunification rather than attacking on the US or any other country. Moreover, North Korea will accept its survival over anything any day a week. Thereupon, a peaceful conclusion is onerous to achieve.

 

ICBM test of North Korea

How North Korean think?

North Korean people believe that they need the nuclear weapon in case to achieve greater security over a situation of security dilemma. Together with, this permission will allow North Korea to extort resources from the world. Eventually, North Korea will remain as a center of attention.

 

Children copying the haircut of North Korean leader

For example, North Korean people are delighted over their recent nuclear tests. They think that in this way they are feeling safer. In the words of a North Korean national “Now we have everything we need, we can hit our enemies in their homes or in their bases. It makes me feel very strong.”

In fact, ordinary North Koreans are backing their ruler. They believe in him, sing and shout for him. Surely, they will all stand up for him in any peculiar situation.

North Korean Economy

North Korea for years used to get aid from the US and Japan. The countries have given the aid for food supplies and fertilizers. China: a key and long-term ally of North Korea, on the other hand has been buying coal over the years from Kim’s country. Equally, China is supporting the economy of North Korea to move on.

 

China is the biggest coal importer from North Korea

In fact, if North Korea did not get that aid in terms of food supplies, its people would have been died as a result of starvation.

Does Kim Jong-un want superiority over South Korea?

Another primal reason is that Kim Jong-un wants the nuclear weapon to maintain an edge over Seoul. In fact, nuclear weapons capability is the only thing that discriminate North Korea from South Korea. Thus, they have got to keep those weapons and will not give up on their weapons. 

But, we can not underestimate the military strength of Seoul as well. Not to forget, they are in a treaty with the US and US troops are stationed inside the territory of South Korea. About 30000 US soldiers in South Korea are staying permanently. This is a situation of confusion for younger South Koreans. Of course, they younger South Koreans want reunification but on their terms and they should be expected fight hard to protect their homeland in case of any reunification attempt by North Korea.

 

US and South Korean military personnel are sharing survival game

Author’s Take

The US is also moving through a tough situation. If they allow a nuclear armed North Korea then its relations with South Korea and Japan will turn into decisive and bitter. Additionally, it will undermine the treaty of non-proliferation. The US must try to resolve the crisis on the table.

Generally speaking, North Korea wants to build weapons for the reason that Pakistan and India got the nuclear weapons and got away with it. If North Korea gets the nuclear weapons then South Korea and Japan will also try to be nuclear states and then who would stop Iran by doing such measures and the trials will not stop.

On the whole, China’s role will be a crucial one in between the US and North Korea. China as a largest trading partner of the United States and a long term ally of North Korea may play its part to convince both the parties on negotiations and even over final signatures. China should exert its influence over North Korea to put it on the table.