Political Science

Problem
The current problem revolves around creating a formal consensus between the United States and the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) towards the formalization of its stance in terms of policies against North Koreas continued exertion and practice of nuclear proliferation within its borders. This objective then corresponds to the existing sanctions provided by the U.S. government and the United Nations against North Korea for its reluctance to participate and comply with the disarmament process provided by the six-party talks and the corresponding mandatory adherence measures to stop producing nuclear weapons (U.S. Department of State, p.1).

Corresponding to this problem according to the GDA model, it can be argued that the foundation of the corresponding goal seeks to represent a North Korea becoming adherent to the present conditions stipulated by the United States. This remains the first step in democratizing the country and creating new prospects towards stabilization and development within the region. Such actions then would become evident if North Korea is willing to abide by the conditions provided during the six-party talks and correspondingly generate the transition of government style and power.

However, the drift under this process would only to settle towards what North Korea and associated members of the six party talks can provide. Since each one has their own corresponding interests over this matter, it would need a new approach to diversify and lengthen the process of sustaining and implementing compliance and the need to constantly monitor and communicate to further new initiatives. This then would help shift towards nuclear proliferation towards the creation of social policies to uplift the plight among North Koreans particularly in areas of food and shelter (U.S Department of State, p.1).

Review (Actual)
Looking at the current policies initiated by the United States, as far as North Korea is concerned reflects on a mixture of international pressure corresponded by economic sanctions. This comes in line with the current blatant violations of the six-party talks between the US, North Korea, and other countries concerning nuclear proliferation. This then marks a corresponding passive-aggressive stance by the United States providing inputs and relative disengagement with the country as part of its foreign policy objectives (Kim, US envoy, p.1).

Analyzing further the current actions exhibited by the United States against North Korea, it caters to the continued pressures for the country to amend its policies and governance to that of a democratic one. The inability of the North to adhere to such discourses provided the leverage for the US to continuously exercise economic embargo and sanctions alongside with the corresponding prohibitions provided by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) where the US is a permanent member (U.S. Embassy in Belgium, p.1). As the U.S. Department of State argue, many statutory sanctions on North Korea, including those affecting trade in military, dual-use, and missile related items and those based on multilateral agreements, remain in place (p.1).

On the other hand, Chinas stance regarding the issue of North Korea concerning nuclear proliferation remains rooted on the maintenance of a lighter perspective towards the issue. Contrary to the continued effort by the U.S. to seek and apply sanctions to North Korea, PRC has retained its role on creating better opportunities for the country by providing added economic incentives for compliance and creating new opportunities for it to expand and grow (Lee, p.1).

Such realities are manifested in accordance to the reality that China is the largest trading partner of North Korea. Here, China has openly provided North Korea with numerous favors oftentimes economic benefits to try and appease Kim Jong-Ils actions towards nuclear development (Cha and Kessler, p.1). It even goes further towards finding the necessary conditions to hinder the approach of the United Nations Security Council members (particularly the U.S.) to strengthen restrictive measures towards North Korea. Seeing this, it remains to be seen that despite the continued manifestation of reluctance of North Korea to adhere towards the corresponding mandates provided by the countries in the UN and the members of the six-party talks.

Analysis
Analyzing the current situation, it can be seen that the root of the problem between North Koreas nuclear ambitions revolve around the inability of the United States, UNSC, and members of the six-party talks to have a firm and collaborated stance towards North Koreas actions. It can be seen that there is one party who is seeking to push the provision of sanctions while the other one desires the development of a milder approach in handling the topic. This then showcases both the interplay of powers plus the assertion of state interests of the matter (Lee, p.1). It is through such inability to come up with a consensus towards finding the appropriate avenue for a policy brings further not only the struggle towards applying the appropriate strategy but also induce the necessary actions to alleviate the problem.

At the same time, the existing policies have not been effective due to the fact stipulated that there are contending views surrounding the issue. The stance of China in inducing favors to North Korea in the hope of achieving compliance to the mandates provided is directly challenging the continued efforts made by the US in its foreign policy to block and hinder new dynamics towards North Korea which includes economic sanctions and restrictive strategies (Kim, U.S envoy.. p.1). These actions in turn provide the leverage for North Korea to continuously apply and promote its individual interests because of the ability to gain support (from China) despite the increasing embargo of economic goods into the region.

With these realities, there are a few options that the United States can do to address the specific problem on hand. The first strategy that can be used involves reengaging into communication and interaction with North Korea in the six-party talks. Here, the common grounds can be created towards finding new directives to enhance participation of North Korea in complying with the standards provided by the members and the UNSC. It is through this that favorable options can be made to supplement both interests of China and the US over this matter.

Another option that the U.S. can implement would involve direct intervention to the threat that North Korea poses to international security. Since the U.S. has an international role towards the preservation of security, it has the ability to intervene (militarily) provided that the current testing continues and aligns to the creation of a nuclear arsenal. Such avenue then leads towards not only intensifying restrictive policies but also force the matter of compliance within the North Korean leadership. However, the setback here would be gaining legitimate support from members of the UNSC particularly China who has a corresponding interest over North Korea in terms of regional control and leadership.

The last option that is available for the U.S. to pursue would be continued pressure to both North Korea (compliance) and China (abide with the UNSC resolutions associated with sanctions). This means that the United States should continue to intensify new dimensions towards facilitating communication with PRC concerning the validity and strength towards achieving stricter policies and sanctions. On the other hand, for the part of North Korea, applying greater restrictions and ability to reinforce such actions can greatly provide the capacity to comply according to standards.

Recommendations
With these corresponding situations, I recommend that the United States continue its stance towards interaction and openness in terms of collaborating with the appropriate strategy for North Korea. Since there remains to be key challenges in terms of political interests showcased by China, the U.S. should revitalize its effort and convince China that stricter policies can provide the leverage towards adherence to its goals under the Non-Proliferation Treaty. This can be achieved if all aspects and conditions by each party are put together in the negotiating table. Moreover, it can also induce better ways to provide and apply existing and new policies related to the present problem.

At the same time, since China remains the only country to have close interactions with the North, it is crucial that the US balance the policies it can provide towards application of its international policies. Consideration must be made towards the current regional setup and what other incentives and dimensions can be placed in the table for members of the six-party talks can agree upon. However, this also does not mean that the US will succumb to the desires of PRC or North Korea it is only a matter of gauging and applying the process of negotiation that in turn can still deliver the expected outcomes towards eliminating the plan for nuclear development.