In the wake of North Korea’s successful underground
nuclear test Monday, the country faced harsh criticism from the
international community, as many countries questioned how the small
Communist country intends to use its new technology.
North Korea has stated in the past that it had the power to
produce nuclear weapons. Countries such as the United States had
closely monitored and strongly opposed that country’s pursuit
of nuclear technology, fearing that it could lead to a breakdown in
the delicate political situation in the region.
After confirming the success of the test, leaders from Japan,
China, the United States and Great Britain condemned North
Korea’s actions and called for the denuclearization of the
Korean Peninsula.
South Korea joined in the condemnation of its northern neighbor
and put its military on high alert, though it had noticed no
unusual activity among North Korea’s troops.
In Seoul, many South Koreans responded with protests ““
some involving an effigy of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Il
and others coming in the form of silent prayer.
The U.N. Security Council unanimously condemned North
Korea’s actions as well, with the U.S. drafting a resolution
to the council calling for weapons sanctions against the
country.
The sanctions would prohibit all trade in military and luxury
goods with North Korea and prevent any abuses that could contribute
to the transfer or production of banned weapons.
President Bush said Monday in a press conference that North
Korea’s claims to nuclear weapons constitute a major threat
to international peace and security.
“The United States condemns this provocative act,”
Bush said. “Once again, North Korea has defied the will of
the international community, and the international community will
respond.”
Michael Intriligator, a professor emeritus of economics,
political science and public policy, said North Korea’s use
of nuclear weapons for military action is unlikely.
However, he said, there is a fear in the global community that
the country will produce and commercially sell the weapons to rogue
states or terrorist organizations.
Intriligator said North Korea has in the past sold its missiles
and technology to such organizations for economic profit.
“The worry is that they could add to not just selling
missiles, but nuclear weapons, and who knows who’ll buy
them,” Intriligator said. “(North Korea) doesn’t
ask too many questions when it comes to selling them.”
U.S. intelligence is still working to completely confirm the
nuclear weapon’s success and strength, in spite of North
Korea’s pride in its newly tested device.
“The nuclear test is a historic event that brought
happiness to our military and people,” said a spokesman of
the North Korean government.
“The nuclear test will contribute to maintaining stability
in the Korean Peninsula and surrounding region,” the
spokesman said.
In 2003, North Korea withdrew from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation
Treaty, which prohibits members from expanding their nuclear
weapons programs.
As a result of the withdrawal, a series of meetings took place
between six nations to discuss a security resolution in light of
concerns regarding the country’s exit.
The nations participating in these so-called “six-party
talks” included the U.S., North Korea, South Korea, Japan,
China and Russia.
Intriligator said such talks were unsuccessful because the U.S.
continually refused North Korea’s requests for bilateral
discussions, since the Bush administration believed the
country’s possession of nuclear weapons to be a threat to the
rest of the world.
“The most important people to talk is not your friends,
but it is your enemy,” Intriligator said.
“Negotiations and compromise are needed to work it
out,” he said, “and the only way to do it is to have
direct talks. It was a huge mistake to turn them down.”
The professor said though the U.S. does not diplomatically
recognize the country, in the past, the U.S. has negotiated with
other countries, such as China, before recognizing them. He
suggested off-the-record negotiations could be more beneficial as
long as the talks were specifically between the U.S. and North
Korea.
Intriligator also said though the reaction from the rest of the
world is negative, South Koreans seem to have a different reaction,
hoping that negotiations in the future can lead to the
reunification of Korea.
Michelle Lee, a fourth-year global studies student, was in South
Korea during the summer as part of a study abroad program. While
the rest of the world perceives Korea to be very divided, she said
this separation seemed nonexistent.
“I think South Korea is very optimistic,” Lee said.
“The people are looking towards unification.”
She added that when she was in South Korea a few months ago,
South Koreans were more concerned with humanitarian efforts to send
food and aide to their northern neighbors than they were with their
neighbor’s nuclear capability.
With reports from Bruin wire services.