Chinese Perspectives on the North Korean Nuclear Issue

Institute for Nuclear Materials Management 46th Annual Meeting held in Phoenix, Az., July 10-14, 2005

Abstract

The current North Korean nuclear crisis poses a great challenge to the region security and the global non-proliferation regime. China has been playing a remarkably proactive role in the effort to resolve the nuclear crisis. China’s approach trying to settle the North Korean nuclear issue would have an important impact on overcoming the current nuclear impasse. In this paper, I will discuss China’s position on the North Korean nuclear issue; explore the roadmap to the resolution of the nuclear issue the Six-Party Talks should take in a Chinese view. Finally, I will examine what kind of the effective verification measures should be taken for each step for realizing the complete and irreversible dismantlement of North Korean nuclear programs.