Despite enhanced U.S. and South Korean military capabilities, as well as an increasing application of targeted sanctions, North Korea continues to make progress with its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. In response to these advancements, the U.S. and South Korea announced in early August that they would deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery in the southeastern part of South Korea.

This study assesses the use of sanctions against North Korea, especially as they relate to Pyongyang’s ongoing nuclear and missile programs. We focus on what we call “North Korea, Inc.,” the system of regimeoperated state trading companies (STCs) that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) employs to procure both licit and illicit goods.

After conducting nuclear weapon tests in 2006 and 2009, North Korea has increasingly insisted that it has become the world's ninth nuclear weapon state. Many interpretations of North Korean nuclear decision-making leading to this predicament are inadequate in explaining Pyongyang's nuclear behavior. While hostile U.S. policy is frequently cited by North Korea as the reason it needs a nuclear deterrent, a close examination of its nuclear behavior reveals that even when the United States offered explicit security assurances, North Korea continued with its nuclear weapons development. Are security assurances relevant in negotiating North Korea’s peaceful denuclearization?

Please join us! Coffee and tea provided. Everyone is welcome, but admittance will be on a first come–first served basis.

John Park will give a briefing on DPRK nuclear issues and related topics, including the leadership succession process, relations with PRC, and unintended consequences of applying sanctions on DPRK on August 12, 2010 beginning at 1:30pm in the Belfer Center library.

Dr. John Park, a Senior Fellow at the U.S. Institute of Peace and MTA Associate, will present a seminar entitled "Interpreting North Korea's Recent Nuclear Moves" on Thursday October 2, 2008 beginning at 2:30 pm in the Belfer Center Library, Littauer 369.

The Sept. 19 Six-Party statement of principles marked the end of the beginning of the North Korean nuclear crisis.

In the North Korean nuclear crisis, there is a major difference between having leverage and having the ability to use it.

North Korea