To avoid the worst, US must abandon pretense of North Korean denuclearization



Opinion To avoid the worst, US must abandon pretense of North Korean denuclearization Sanctions will never convince Kim Jong Un to give up his nukes, making diplomacy the only option to secure stability Doug Bandow December 29, 2022 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON U.S. President Joe Biden disembarks Air Force One at Chennault International Airport on May 6, 2021 \| Image: The White House For years, American presidents have said North Korea must not develop nuclear weapons. Now President Joe Biden says that Pyongyang must not stage another nuclear test. The unfortunate reality is that the North is a nuclear power, with at least dozens of nuclear weapons now and the potential to acquire as many as 240 over the next few years — an estimate, admittedly controversial, that would place it in the top ranks of secondary nuclear powers, ahead of Israel, Pakistan, India and the U.K. For years, American presidents have said North Korea must not develop nuclear weapons. Now President Joe Biden says that Pyongyang must not stage another nuclear test. The unfortunate reality is that the North is a nuclear power, with at least dozens of nuclear weapons now and the potential to acquire as many as 240 over the next few years — an estimate, admittedly controversial, that would place it in the top ranks of secondary nuclear powers, ahead of Israel, Pakistan, India and the U.K. Try unlimited access Only $1 for four weeks Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

Opinion

To avoid the worst, US must abandon pretense of North Korean denuclearization

Sanctions will never convince Kim Jong Un to give up his nukes, making diplomacy the only option to secure stability

Doug Bandow December 29, 2022

To avoid the worst, US must abandon pretense of North Korean denuclearization

U.S. President Joe Biden disembarks Air Force One at Chennault International Airport on May 6, 2021 | Image: The White House

For years, American presidents have said North Korea must not develop nuclear weapons. Now President Joe Biden says that Pyongyang must not stage another nuclear test.

The unfortunate reality is that the North is a nuclear power, with at least dozens of nuclear weapons now and the potential to acquire as many as 240 over the next few years — an estimate, admittedly controversial, that would place it in the top ranks of secondary nuclear powers, ahead of Israel, Pakistan, India and the U.K.

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To avoid the worst, US must abandon pretense of North Korean denuclearization

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