Warwick Model United Nations
Week 2
Background Guide
Contents
1. Topic A: Disarmament of Nuclear Weapons in the DPRK3
1.1. Background3
1.2. The Current Situation6
1.3. Bloc Positions7
1.4. Focus Questions8
2. Further Research and References9
Topic A: Disarmament of Nuclear Weapons in the DPRK
Background
Back in 1963, the DPRK (North Korea) asked the (then) Soviet Union for help in developing nuclear weapons. The Soviet Union declined, but still helped in developing a nuclear energy program and helped train nuclear scientists. This began North Korea’s utilisation of nuclear weapons. By the 1980s, North Korea had begun to complete a nuclear weapon system under the guise of developing facilities for practical uses of nuclear energy. Facilities for uranium fabrication and conversion were built during this time. In 1993, North Korea refused to be inspected by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), who then reported its noncompliance to the UN Security Council. The US government intervened and agreed to supply two light water reactors to North Korea in exchange for nuclear disarmament. It quickly fell apart however, and in 2002 the two countries blamed each other for noncompliance.
Tensions escalated when Pakistan admitted that North Korea had gained access to Pakistan's nuclear technology. Following the proclamation as well as an actual confession from the North Korean government itself, the United States accused North Korea of noncompliance and halted oil shipments.
Following that, in 2003, North Korea announced its withdrawal from the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty. On October 9, 2006, North Korea announced it had successfully conducted its first nuclear test, and was criticised widely by other UN member states. On January 6, 2007, the North Korean government further confirmed that it had nuclear weapons. Talks in 2007 involving North Korea, South Korea, China, Russia, Japan, and the United States did manage to reach an agreement wherein North Korea would have to submit a list of its nuclear programs and shut down its nuclear facilities in exchange for fuel aid. This agreement fell apart in 2009, when North Korean launched a satellite widely believed to be related to its nuclear program.
On May 25, 2009, North Korea conducted a second nuclear test, and once again relations worsened with the United States. Tensions rose even further in April 2012, when North Korea performed several missile tests, and in retaliation the United States halted food aid. In 2013, North Korea officially reported it had performed yet another successful nuclear test.
The Current Situation
North Korea have since performed two further nuclear tests, bringing the total up to five. With Kim Jong Un’s rise to power, the country as a whole has become more aggressive towards foreign powers and strengthened its policies on nuclear weapons. This is supplemented by successful tests such as the recent test-launch of 2 ICBMs, the second of which reported to have sufficient range to reach continental United States.
More recently in September 2017, North Korea announced a "perfect" hydrogen bomb test. While still unverified as whether the bomb was indeed as powerful as the North Korean media claimed, it represents a rapid escalation in aggression from the regime and a newfound recklessness in its disregard for foreign powers. Even China, on of North Korea’s strongest allies, have begun to denounce their tests.
Bloc Positions
While most nations would not hesitate to condemn North Korea, it is worth noting that there have been several countries who have bought North Korean missiles and/or took part in developing nuclear weapons with North Korean support. Countries such as Iran and Pakistan might choose to denounce North Korea, but suitable caution must be placed when deciding whether to support severe sanctions on North Korea. China, while having denounced North Korea’s actions recently, must also act with moderation on the topic. An upset North Korea is neither a great regional presence nor a good neighbour to have for China.
Other member states would find it comfortable to agree to impose sanctions on North Korea, especially those greatly involved in the affair such as the USA, Japan and the Republic of Korea (South Korea).
Focus Questions
To what extend can member states impose sanctions on North Korea, and would they be effective?
Are there any other (non-violent) solutions available outside of sanctions and appeasement?
Further Research:
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