A Study of US Foreign Policy Regarding North Korea's Nuclear Program

This report examines the US foreign policy regarding North Korea's nuclear program. It begins with an overview of the hostile relationship between the two countries, emphasizing North Korea's aggressive pursuit of nuclear weapons under Kim Jong Un's leadership and the US's diplomatic and political responses, including warnings from President Trump. The report highlights the major issues facing both nations, including political divisions within the US and the underdeveloped state of North Korea. It analyzes the reasons for policy changes, prompted by North Korea's nuclear tests, and considers options such as political dialogue versus military conflict, weighing the pros and cons of each. The conclusion advocates for political dialogue as the best path forward, alongside international pressure on North Korea to halt nuclear tests and move toward democracy. The report draws on primary sources and concludes that a more mature and diplomatic approach is necessary from the US government.

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Proposal
Chosen Topic
US foreign policy regarding North Korea’s nuclear program
Summary
The rise of North Korea in the recent years have been a source of worry for most of the
countries all over the globe. North Korea is a country ruled by the dictatorship of Kim Jong Un,
who is taking aggressive steps to develops its nuclear arsenals. The country is small with limited
human resource or technical advancement (Hecker). However recent nuclear tests conducted by
the country has disturbed the balance of power of the region. South Korea which is an ally of
USA is apprehensive because of the North Korean advancement (Kim). Some missiles under test
by North Korea has even flown over Japan. Hence the US government has initiated its own
diplomatic offensive against the country and the President of the United States Donald Trump
has warned of severe consequences if the nuclear advancement of the country is not contained
(Silva).
The policy is important in the present day because the threat of Nuclear weapons have the
potential in destroying the larger portion of human population. The credibility of Kim Jong Un as
a leader is highly questionable and he may take any drastic steps to prove his worth. US policy
has been largely to diplomatically corner North Korea and take international support in the
process.

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Works Cited
Primary Sources
Hecker, Siegfried S. "Lessons learned from the North Korean nuclear crises." Daedalus 139.1
(2010): 44-56.
Kim, Samuel S. "North Korea's nuclear strategy and the interface between international and
domestic politics." Asian Perspective (2010): 49-85.
Silva, Gerson. "American Foreign Policy." Coleção Meira Mattos-Revista das Ciências
Militares 20 (2009).

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The Policy Paper
Introduction
USA and North Korea has been maintaining a hostile relationship since the days of the
Korean war. The war in which the United States had sided with South Korea defined the lines of
relationship between the two countries (Pollack). Recently with the repeated Nuclear tests
conducted by North Korea the relationship is moving towards worst. The North Korean dictator
Kim Jong Un has threatened of having been developed Nuclear weapons and missiles strong
wnough to travel long distances and hit the mainland USA if need be. Initially George Bush,
former USA President had termed the country as “Axis of Evil” and now Donald Trump the
present US President is taking the offensive forward.
Major Issues Facing Each Country Involved
United States of America has been recently been through a political shift when President
Donald Trump took over the office. The country has been divided into two very distinctive
opinions, for and against Donald Trump. There have been a number of political marches and
protests against the new President, and many demands of his step down. There are allegations of
Russian involvement in US politics. In recent years after the economic depression the problems
of unemployment has also increased in the country (Sagan and Waltz).
On the other hand, North Korea is a country which is highly under developed with very
little reach of the international community inside the country. The country is ruled by dictator
Kim Jong Un, and any one going against the government is executed. Economic condition of
people is poor.
What Are the Reasons for Initiating Changes to The Policy?

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The recent nuclear tests by North Korea has infuriated the international community and
has made many international leaders go against the North Korean government. Fox news reports
“From North Korea’s perspective, the regime looks at nuclear weapons as the ultimate guarantor
of its survival, even enshrined in its constitution. Kim Jong Un correctly understands that his
chances of someday ending up in The Hague for war crimes like Slobodan Milosevic or dead and
buried like Mullah Omar, Saddam Hussein or Muammar Qaddafi rise exponentially without
atomic arms.” Therefore, it has increased its nuclear activities and recently undertook 6 nuclear
tests. Two of its missiles flew over Japan, an US ally, which has deteriorated the situation.
Donald trump has been vocal about teaching lessons well to North Korea, and of harsh
consequences if Kim Jong Un does not control his wits.
What Are the Options to Be Considered?
The two countries have been vocally hurling acquisitions at each other and warning each
other of harsh consequences of their actions. The North Korean dictator has also indicated that he
has a “complete set of nuclear weapons and that he has the button in his desk”. The President of
the United States responded in a harsher tone by declaring that he has his nuclear buttons always
ready as well.
However, the leaders know well that a nuclear conflict is not the solution is it will include
huge loss of human life. Kim Jong Un knows well that his country has very limited military
might and hence it makes no sense to go in a conflict with USA (Nikitin).
Political dialogues are the only way to resolve conflicts. Recently the North and South
Korean media had reported the intention of the North Korean administration in starting a
dialogue with USA.

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What Are the Pros and Cons?
The option of going into a nuclear conflict is out of question for both the parties as it is
not feasible to result in loss of human life in large number. However, the pros of going into a war
would ensure an end of dictatorship in North Korea.
In the case of political dialogues, the pros include coming into a peaceful resolution
without the loss of lives of any parties associated in the conflict. The cons include the fact that
the process of dialogue is slow and would never bring democratic government in North Korea.
Which Is the Best Option Moving Forward?
Political dialogue is the best option of moving forward. However, there should be an
international pressure on the North Korean administration to make sure that they do not indulge
in further nuclear tests and they start initiating the process of establishing democracy in their
country. The international community can exert pressure by stopping economical activities with
the country.
Conclusion
It can be concluded from the above discussion that the problem of the North Korea and
USA conflict due to the Nuclear policy of North Korea is mainly due to the leadership of both
the countries. The USA government should be more matured in its activities and diplomatically
corner North Korea rather than only verbally accusing it.

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Works Cited
Primary Sources
Hecker, Siegfried S. "Lessons learned from the North Korean nuclear crises." Daedalus 139.1
(2010): 44-56.
Kim, Samuel S. "North Korea's nuclear strategy and the interface between international and
domestic politics." Asian Perspective (2010): 49-85.
Nikitin, Mary Beth. "North korea's nuclear weapons: Technical issues." Current Politics and
Economics of Northern and Western Asia 22.3 (2013): 377.
Pollack, Jonathan D. No exit: North Korea, nuclear weapons, and international security.
Routledge, 2017.
Sagan, Scott Douglas, and Kenneth Neal Waltz. The spread of nuclear weapons: an enduring
debate. WW Norton & Company, 2013.
Silva, Gerson. "American Foreign Policy." Coleção Meira Mattos-Revista das Ciências
Militares 20 (2009).