• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Analysis: UN Debates Disciplining North Korea

Council on Foreign Relations

October 12, 2006
Prepared by: Carin Zissis

Days after North Korea’s underground nuclear test announcement, disagreement continues over how to contain the regime’s weapons ambitions. The test has met worldwide condemnation, but has mired the UN Security Council in debate over how far to go in punishing Pyongyang (FT). President Bush threatened “serious repercussions” and Japan already imposed harsh sanctions (Japan Times), including bans on Pyongyang’s imports and travel. North Korea’s other neighbors are treading more carefully. South Korea is grappling with internal political divisions (IHT) over whether to back a UN draft resolution proposed by the United States. The resolution, which recommends stiff sanctions, could lead to military action by invoking Chapter 7 of the UN Charter. It is meeting resistance (Reuters) from North Korea’s strongest ally, China, although Beijing earlier called for punitive actions against its neighbor. The BBC provides a roundup of where world powers stand on the North Korea crisis.

Kim Yong Nam, North Korea’s second in command, told Kyodo news agency that future negotiations will depend on the response of the United States. His statement came after his government warned it will carry out more tests if the United States steps up pressure and increased sanctions would be considered "a declaration of war." In its bid to be considered a major world power, the communist nation continues to seek bilateral talks (Sydney Morning Herald) with the United States. President Bush rejected the option (AP) of face-to-face negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang after UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan urged bilateral talks Wednesday. The Center for Nonproliferation Studies’ Daniel A. Pinkston writes that Washington’s refusal to meet one-on-one with Pyongyang has left North Koreans feeling "frustrated and aggrieved, "(Strategic Insights) (PDF).

Read the rest of this article on the cfr.org website.

Copyright 2006 by the Council on Foreign Relations. This material is republished on GlobalSecurity.org with specific permission from the cfr.org. Reprint and republication queries for this article should be directed to cfr.org.