How US absolutism on North Korean nukes endangers its nonproliferation goals



Columns How US absolutism on North Korean nukes endangers its nonproliferation goals Refusal to consider anything short of complete denuclearization is increasing pressure on South Korea to go nuclear Chad O'Carroll September 18, 2024 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Nuclear dawn mural in Brixton, London, painted by Brian Barnes, 1981 \| Image: Chad O’Carroll, edited by NK News Washington orthodoxy holds that any deal short of total denuclearization is unacceptable, as it would grievously undermine the global nonproliferation regime. Yet by rigidly adhering to this all-or-nothing stance in the face of an accelerating North Korean nuclear buildup, the U.S. is perversely increasing the risks of a proliferation catastrophe — in particular by allowing pressure to build on South Korea to go nuclear. Washington orthodoxy holds that any deal short of total denuclearization is unacceptable, as it would grievously undermine the global nonproliferation regime. Yet by rigidly adhering to this all-or-nothing stance in the face of an accelerating North Korean nuclear buildup, the U.S. is perversely increasing the risks of a proliferation catastrophe — in particular by allowing pressure to build on South Korea to go nuclear. Become a member for less than $5.75 per week. Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis 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

Columns

How US absolutism on North Korean nukes endangers its nonproliferation goals

Refusal to consider anything short of complete denuclearization is increasing pressure on South Korea to go nuclear

Chad O'Carroll September 18, 2024

How US absolutism on North Korean nukes endangers its nonproliferation goals

Nuclear dawn mural in Brixton, London, painted by Brian Barnes, 1981 | Image: Chad O’Carroll, edited by NK News

Washington orthodoxy holds that any deal short of total denuclearization is unacceptable, as it would grievously undermine the global nonproliferation regime.

Yet by rigidly adhering to this all-or-nothing stance in the face of an accelerating North Korean nuclear buildup, the U.S. is perversely increasing the risks of a proliferation catastrophe — in particular by allowing pressure to build on South Korea to go nuclear.

Become a member for less
than $5.75 per week.

Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis
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.

How US absolutism on North Korean nukes endangers its nonproliferation goals

Become a member for less than $5.75 per week.

Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most –

as selected by <img width="226" height="50" class="logo" src="https://www.nknews.org/wp-content/themes/nknews/images/header-logo.png" alt="NK News Logo">

One more step!

Trending

Recent Stories

About the Author

Chad O'Carroll

Become a member for less
than $5.75 per week.

Start your day with
the North Korea stories that matter most –

as selected by