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Ploughshares Blog: North Korea

Experts guess that North Korea has less than ten nuclear weapons, a tiny amount compared to nations like China, the US or Russia. But the Hermit Kingdom’s unpredictable and belligerent behavior, located on one of the world’s last remaining Cold War fault lines, make it an outsized threat. Following is analysis and opinion from Ploughshares Fund staff, grantees and guests on the ongoing struggle to deal with nuclear weapons in North Korea.
The 8 things you should know about the North Korea Missile Launch - Video
Everyone’s talking about North Korea’s missile launch this week. And sure, it’s a big deal, but it’s not the end of the world. Here’s some quick behind-the-news perspectives to help parse facts from fear-mongering. Read more »
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Posted by Philip Yun on April 11, 2012
China, North Korea, Missile Launch, Philip Yun
Building Global Security, One Summit at a Time
Nuclear terrorism ranks at the top of many national security experts lists of possible nightmares. It’s hard to overstate the damage that could be caused by even a small nuclear weapon in one of the world’s major population centers. But just as terrorism has become a global phenomenon, efforts to prevent nuclear terrorism has to be a global effort. Thankfully, it is. Read more »
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Posted by Margaret Swink on March 22, 2012
Japan, North Korea, Arms Control Association, food aid, Prague Agenda, South Korea, Obama
Pyongyang, we have a problem…
Critics of a recent deal between North Korea and the United States had barely caught their breath before an announcement today by Pyongyang that North Korea plans to launch a satellite atop a long-range rocket in mid-April. It’s hard to argue that this isn’t a setback. But it’s also premature to write the whole thing off. Read more »
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Posted by Paul Carroll on March 16, 2012
Diplomacy, North Korea, International security, Leap Day Agreement, Missile Testing, Nuclear proliferation, Nuclear Weapons, Pyongyang
Don't Ignore 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 »
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Posted by Philip Yun on February 7, 2012
North Korea, Philip Yun
Top 10 nuclear weapons stories of 2011
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 »
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Posted by Margaret Swink on December 28, 2011
Japan, North Korea, Global Zero, Mikhail Gorbachev, news, Pakistan, Iran, United States
Risky Assumptions for Preventive War
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 »
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Posted on December 22, 2011
Not your Daddy's North Korea?
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 »
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Posted by Paul Carroll on December 18, 2011
China, North Korea, Government of North Korea, Kim Jong Il, Kim Jong-un, Pyongyang
Reykjavik: The Vision Not Realized
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 »
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Posted by admin on November 21, 2011
North Korea, Alan R. Fowler, Georgetown University, Mikhail Gorbachev, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Nuclear proliferation, Nuclear Zero, Partners, Reykjavik, Ronald Reagan, Iran
A Small, but Essential Victory
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 »
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Posted by Margaret Swink on October 18, 2011
Diplomacy, North Korea, Paul Carroll, South Korea
Seizing the Moment with North Korea
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 »
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Posted by admin on September 19, 2011
North Korea, Bill Richardson, Nuclear proliferation