Increasing Peer Pressure on North Korea

The United States is becoming more resolute with regards to the North Korean nuclear issue. The National Security Strategy released on May 27 differs from the George W. Bush administration’s unilateral diplomacy in that it emphasizes multilateralism, yet the stance towards the North Korean nuclear issue is the same. The National Security Strategy report emphasized that “if [North Korea & Iran] ignore their international obligations, we will pursue multiple means to increase their isolation and bring them into compliance with international nonproliferation norms.” This is a warning that if the North does not abandon its nuclear weapons, sanctions will be toughened. Secondly, the National Security Strategy made clear that the alliance with South Korea and other Asian countries would be strengthened.

The next day at the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference, 189 participating nations unanimously approved to press North Korea to “abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs” and made clear that North Korea will not be recognized as a nuclear state. This was the first time that a North Korean nuclear issue agreement was reached at a Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference.

As can be seen in the National Security Strategy report and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty final document, the United States and the international community are increasing their pressure on North Korea. Their will to realize a “World Free of Nuclear Weapons” is strong. The increased pressure by the United States on North Korea after the Cheonan incident is one example towards this trend. This is another reason why North Korea cannot afford to miscalculate.