North Korea Promises “NO NUKES

After three years of continuous upsets to negotiations since the nuclear negotiations between the US and North Korea, the East Asian nation referred to by the Bush administration as part of the “axis of evil,” has recently signed off on the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. This progress was made with the other members of the six-party talks in efforts to achieve a reunified Korea. Many interpreted this event as a turning point in the standoff between the two nations. The United States’ stance insists upon termination of the nuclear weapons in that country to ensure an intact Korean peninsula. However, recent events have shown that North Korea is not yet prepared to become denuclearized. Twenty-four hours after the treaty was signed in Beijing on the 19th of September, they declared that abandonment of all nuclear programs in that country would be contingent upon the United States providing light-water nuclear reactors. The US, Russia, and Japan rejected their request, claiming discussions for reactors would be made after North Korea terminates all nuclear warheads. On the other hand, North Korea stated that they would not do so unless they see that the other nations follow through on the terms of the treaty regarding more cooperation, through supplying reactors, which are “essential” to the needs of this impoverished nation. North Korea has relied upon a regular emergency food supply through the UN’s World Food Program for a decade. In response to this sudden change in agreement, South Korean officials pointed out that although it would be difficult for their northern neighbor to back out on the treaty, it’s not a great surprise that it could happen again, referring to their history of frequently making promises regarding abandonment of the warheads. Over the years, some citizens of South Korea have been seeking more of an engagement in progressive relations between the two Koreas in realizing their reunification and to not have the United States provoke constant upsets with their northern