The Pros And Cons Of North Korea's Nuclear Program

Imagine attending a picnic on a pleasant afternoon in Portland, Oregon. Guests are having a wonderful time, when suddenly there is a flash of light followed by fire and smoke. An Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), launched from North Korea, just struck, killing tens of thousands of people instantly. Since 2011, when Kim Jong-un became North Korea’s dictator, the country has significantly advanced their nuclear weapons program, causing increased tensions with the United States of America and its allies. After analyzing both sides of this conflict, I am not in favor of military intervention to impede North Korea’s nuclear program. To resolve this international conflict, I am in favor of using three alternatives: international diplomacy,

For example, President Trump and his state department requested that China apply economic pressure on North Korea in hopes to assuage their nuclear program. North Korea is so isolated that it depends on Chinese trade for their survival; so if North Korea is cut off from China’s financial aid, they will not be capable of surviving on their own. “Ultimately, he said, there are only ‘two ways to impose significant costs’ on the North Koreans for pursuing nuclear weapons. The United States ‘could use military power … or the Chinese can put real economic pressure on’ North Korea. The first option could have horrific consequences, …” (Friedman, “What Are America's Options on North Korea?”). A military campaign against North Korea will lead to catastrophic death and destruction for the North Koreans,

Secondary sanctions will present a choice to Chinese banks who are doing business with North Korea: continue doing business with them or be cut off from the U.S. financial system. “Enacting secondary sanctions on Chinese firms that facilitate North Korea’s nuclear program should be the logical next step in strengthening US strategy against North Korea and has the potential for real damage to their nuclear program funding.” (McKeown, “An Alternative to Military Intervention in North Korea”). In contrast, some policy experts say secondary sanctions are inadvisable because they will irritate the Chinese government to a point they might limit further diplomacy on our behalf. Secondary sanctions, when enacted, will make the Chinese upset, but they will understand these actions are in place to financially cripple North Korea, not them. By adopting secondary sanctions, the U.S. can cut off North Korea from the money they use to advance their nuclear program. Hopefully, this action will persuade North Korea to negotiate their nuclear weapons program with the U.S. without the use of military