Leo Ren
// The increase in missile tests in North Korea //
If the United States does not take action swiftly, it may soon face an emboldened North Korea with an unsettlingly advanced nuclear arsenal. North Korea has moved to substantially enhance its arsenal with its recent test of a mid-range cruise missile. The country lacks a missile with long-range capability, so the United States has not offered a substantial response to recent developments. Nevertheless, policy makers should feel alarmed. The United States must move beyond mere economic incentives to push North Korea to scale back its military aggression.
On September 11th, 2021, the world witnessed North Korea test a cruise missile capable of traveling 1500 kilometers. Although this distance may seem minuscule compared to the U.S’s 5000-kilometer missiles, the new missile speaks to rapid advances in North Korean military technology. North Korea has consistently proven that it will continue to test missiles, but the U.S has thus far refused to take any substantial action besides condemning the launch and instituting sanctions. The Nonproliferation treaty was supposed to be a way to get North Korea to denuclearize, but after receiving economic benefits from the contract, they withdrew from the treaty in 2002.
History has shown that sanctions do not work. The United Nations has imposed substantial sanctions on North Korea in an attempt to hinder the development of North Korean nuclear weapons. Economic pressure only translates to widespread suffering in North Korea and has failed to ease the Kim regime’s military advancements. With over 60% of North Koreans already in poverty, this number will only increase if the United States levies additional sanctions. South Korea has pursued a slightly different strategy by offering to provide economic aid to North Korea in return for its denuclearization, but South Korea’s communications have not been met with success. Due to North Korea’s reactive and unreliable behavior, the U.S should intervene to slow the advancement of North Korean weaponry.
Ultimately, North Korea has failed to engage in meaningful dialogue, so a new strategy toward North Korea is necessary. Instead of applying sanctions that hurt North Korean citizens and do little to derail North Korea’s missile program, the United States must negotiate with North Korea. While South Korea has failed to reach an agreement, the United States has more political power and therefore the ability to compel North Korea to cease its proliferation. The US should propose sending humanitarian aid to North Korea in return for denuclearization. While such a proposal will likely fail to catalyze North Korea’s deproliferation, it will represent a step in the right direction and form the basis of future negotiations. The Biden administration has the opportunity to refurbish America’s image as a dealmaker by sitting down to substantive talks with North Korea. Continued animosity will only increase the risk of conflict.
