Will further tightening the screws on sanctions against the DPRK have a positive or negative policy effect? Opinion is split and points of agreement are often overlooked. The truth is, there are both strong and weak arguments on either side.

The strongest case made by those seeking a tightening of sanctions is that even if the DPRK doesn’t give up its nuclear program, sanctions can still be effective in limiting its proliferation activities. Despite 10 years of UNSC measures against DPRK weapons proliferation, and many more years of unilateral efforts led by the U.S., the DPRK