Ploughshares Blog: North Korea

Kim Jong Il has been dead eight weeks, and commentators are still treating his successor, Kim Jong Un, as if he’s the latest celebrity teen star. But there’s more at stake than speculation over the young Kim’s staying power. Despite the understandable preoccupation with Iran and the specter of a European economic collapse, we are about to repeat past mistakes by ignoring a rogue state that already possesses nuclear weapons. This failure to be more proactive is likely to end in a different kind of bad news — another nuclear test. Read more »
Posted by Philip Yun on February 7, 2012
North Korea, Philip Yun
It's been a memorable year in nuclear policy. From Fukushima to Iran, the world was reminded just how dangerous nuclear technology can be. But hope continues to remain amidst the challenges. As the year draws to a close, here's a look back at some of the hottest nuclear stories of 2011. Read more »
Posted by Margaret Swink on December 28, 2011
On the radar: Time to rethink attacking Iran; Budget, technical realities force Airborne Laser to land; Amb. Rice on Iran; 71-26; Iran and GOP voters; Amb. Christopher Hill on North Korea; Kristof’s lessons; Scientific exchanges with China; and 551 train shipments secured. Read more »
Posted on December 22, 2011
Kim Jong Il is dead. While for many this may seem like a day long planned, now that it is upon us it is no less frightening. Read more »
Posted by Paul Carroll on December 18, 2011
The following is the second in a series of guest posts from graduate students reflecting on the 25th anniversary of Rekyavik. In Reykjavik, Iceland, U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev held the first serious international talks to eliminate nuclear weapons. Unable to reach an agreement in Reykjavik, a year later Mr. Reagan and Mr. Gorbachev signed the INF treaty eliminating all mid-range nuclear missiles. Read more »
Posted by admin on November 21, 2011
A few weeks ago, Paul Carroll wrote an op-ed in The Hill, urging approval of the pending appointment of Sung Kim as U.S. Ambassador to South Korea.  Read more »
Posted by Margaret Swink on October 18, 2011
The following is a guest post by Governor Bill Richardson. During my most recent trip to North Korea, as old enemies threatened war, top government and military leaders in Pyongyang told me point-blank that tensions were higher than they had been since the Korean War. As I appealed for restraint, I made the argument that North Korea had an opportunity to show the international community that it was ready to return to diplomacy. Read more »
Posted by admin on September 19, 2011
Sung Kim, an experienced and competent professional who has worked on Korean issues for years as a senior U.S. diplomat, has been nominated to the post of U.S. Ambassador to South Korea. Our ally Seoul has indicated its support of the Kim nomination. So why has an unknown Senator – presumed widely to be from the GOP - placed a “hold” on the process at precisely the time when North-South relations – and by extension U.S.-DPRK talks - are finally showing small signs of improvement? Read more »
Posted by Paul Carroll on September 7, 2011
Video games are often accused of promoting violence, stunting social skill growth and leading to inactive lifestyles. Now, they could be contributing to something even more dangerous – the creation of nuclear weapons. Read more »
Posted by Megan Murphy on August 11, 2011