Blog 5: Continuing N. Korea Weapons Testing

The article that I read for this blog is a very interesting one because it speaks about a statement made by a UN diplomat of North Korea, also called The DPRK, Jon Yong Ryong.  “As the saying goes, a new-born puppy knows no fear of a tiger. South Korea's erratic behavior would only herald its final destruction,” these were the exact words spoken to the UN by diplomat Ryong in regards to South Korea and their unease with the present nuclear testing that The DPRK is engaged in.  Many other diplomats and leaders around the world were outraged at the comments by the DPRK diplomat, including the British and Spanish diplomats who said "It cannot be allowed that we have expressions which refer to the possible destruction of U.N. member states,” and “…we are speaking about a threat of the use of force that is prohibited by Article 2.4 of the United Nations charter” respectively.  The DPRK even seems to be losing the support of one of its biggest allies, China.  According to diplomat Ryong, the DPRK is advancing its nuclear program simply as a defense against the US and its strong policy of double standards for nuclear weapons and if The US continued with its strong-arm tactics then DPRK will be forced to launch its next two tests in succession.

            Since further nuclear tests will continue to violate international law and crushing UN sanctions do not seem to be working on The DPRK, it is widely believed that The US and its allies will continue to apply economic pressure.  The problem with that approach is that the regime in power seems content with watching its people suffer and live inadequately in order to pursue its nuclear program so further economic sanctions are unlikely to effect anyone but the average citizen in The DPRK who has no control over the regime’s actions.  Diplomat Ryong seemed to allude to a combative DPRK stance in regards to their own weapons policy and the sanctions being imposed on them from other countries in the UN.  My critique of this article mainly comes from its focus on reactions of other nations as opposed to the potential implications of the test, although the implications are largely unknown and speculative at this time I would have liked some discussion about the future and potential for response from the UN and some of its more powerful and greatly affected member states.

            The DPRK and their continuing weapons testing has a huge likelihood to lead to further global problems because South Korea has said that they are prepared for military action and technically speaking, Korea is still in civil war since their fighting ended in a mere truce decades ago.  The DPRK also seems to be prepared to meet what they perceive as injustice with force which could have very negative implications in the near future.  

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/19/us-nkorea-threat-idUSBRE91I0J520130219