International Relations of Asia

North Korea and its nuclear programme
The fundamental responsibility of states lies in provision of security and well-being to its citizens. However, the post cold war era has witnessed increased threat to security of states and individuals in the wake of increasing nuclear armament policies adopted by governments across the globe. The issue of nuclear weapons has posed a serious question on environmental security and growing unrest among nations to establish their political, economic and military supremacy.

The economic growth and prosperity of North East Asian countries is threatened by the stocking of nuclear weapons by Korea in a bid to assert its supremacy in the region and thwart US attempts to topple the countrys government. The history of the Korean nation accounts much for the growing threat from North Korea and its increasing nuclear capacity. The political division of the country into North and South Korea has created hostility among the two nations with each side viewing the other as a dangerous and illegitimate state with which compromise is tantamount to surrender (Kang, 2000). The fear of the neighboring countries of the impending threat and danger to security has triggered the belief that military combat is the only solution to pressurize the North Koreans to reduce nuclear warfare capabilities.

Arguments for forceful action against North Korea
The desire to go to war against each other is not in the spirit of democracy and this is evident in the global attempt to strengthen ties between two hostile countries. As is the case with North Korea, South Korea and United States that have for long adopted hostile policies to establish their supremacy over each other. The apprehension among North and South Korea in context of national security increased in view of the strengthening ties between US and South Korea. The period between 2001- 2005 was marked by increasing differences between the nations and acts of building nuclear arsenal to assert military strength. During the year 2006 efforts were made towards peaceful cooperation between North and South Korea through talks and negotiations. The South Korean demand for closure of nuclear reactor plants in North Korea was met with stiff resistance and clashes between the two countries. The situation has been further aggravated by the political unrest and oppressive rule of Kim Jong in North Korea. Most South Koreans feel the oppressive rule should be brought to an end and liberate their Northern counterparts to form a strengthened union. This is an ideal situation since it will mark an end to the anarchical rule in North Korea and create a platform for stronger Korean alliance. However, this may not serve the political objectives of other neighboring countries or US since a unified Korea might present a distinctive threat to other economies in East Asia.

Moreover, South Korea suspects that US role in the whole game-plan to change the ruling regime in North Korea that could be in its vested political and economic interests. Roughly during 2003-2006, confident that Americas real North Korea policy was one of regime change, and fearing its imaginable calamity to peace and prosperity on the Korean peninsula, South Korea has been extremely suspicious of Americas intentions in its every policy move, and extremely passive in cooperation (Park, 2008).

A report on Asian Threat in Asian Military Review (2008) observes that North Koreas artillery platforms that include Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) deployed near the De-Militarized Zone (DMZ) poses significant threat to Seoul as well as the entire Korean peninsula in the event of an attack by the North Koreans People Army. The report endorses that the nuclear capability of North Korea was initiated by the possible threat of attacks by South Korea in alliance with United States. The biological and chemical warfare ammunition piled by North Korea will act as a deterrent against any attack by its Southern counterparts.

One of the primary objectives behind the increasing nuclear powers across the globe is its role in compelling other nations to bow to their wishes using nuclear attack threats. The nuclear weapons could hence be used to stop other superpowers or neighboring countries from taking an aggressive stance (Grants blog, 2008). This is illustrated by the fact that the possible threat of nuclear weapons use prevented Soviet Union from invading Germany during the cold war because it was likely that nuclear retaliation of would destroy the entire Soviet Union (Maxim News, 2008).  However, the potential threat of using these weapons of mass destruction lurks heavily posing a distinctive threat to mankind and the peaceful co-existence between nations.

One of the choices left to United States, South Korea and other neighboring countries to quell the imminent nuclear threat is by use of sheer force and military combat that is effective in overthrowing the ruling regime and replace it by a new political order that takes into account global peace and security. This strategy can be effective in stopping the North Koreans from adopting a non-nuclear program and create a safe environment within the East Asian countries that is conducive for economic growth and development. However, this cannot be done without the cooperation of the regional governments who are threatened by the nuclear weapons program. North Korean issues can be resolved only if a united and sustained strategic pressure from neighboring countries, among which South Korea and the United States should be the core promoters for a joint strategy (Park, 2008).

The key issues involved in meeting security challenges are military capacity, duration of operations, economic reconstruction, democratisation, and humanitarian assistance. The global organizations planning to intervene and restore peace and order in any threatened economy need to look deeply into these issues. Any operation involving risk to security and threat to the common public requires adequate military personnel to combat the law and order situation. The amount of troops required, supplies of food and ammunition is largely dependent on the estimated duration of operations. Once the law and order has been restored the next step should be economic reconstruction that involves facilitating financial aid to restore the shattered economy and pave the way for economic growth in the country. The democratisation of the country is vital since the political system needs to be restored keeping in the mind the freedom of choice and flexibility in the hands of the people living in the area.  The institutions should give prominence to the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the common people who have faced loss and have been ravaged by the chaotic situation that prevailed in their country.

Counter-arguments against forceful action
On the other hand, history has proven that armed conflicts might resolve certain political or other existing issues but it leads to massive destruction of life and property. Moreover, the question of use of nuclear capabilities can further worsen situations and trigger devastating results for the whole world. Diplomatic relations and negotiations are increasingly effective in maintaining global peace and strengthening ties between nations. The peaceful efforts at negotiating terms are evident in Chinas efforts to persuade the North Korean government to see the dangers of its nuclear program.

Chinas role in containing nuclear programme of North Korea is largely driven by the fear that other Asian countries too might pursue similar programs to improve their security against possible threats. Moreover, the collapse of Pyongyang will result in a huge inflow of refugees across the border to China. Hence, Beijing is actively participating in negotiations to bring the country and its nuclear ambitions to heel (AMR, 2008).

In this context it can be added that economic inter-dependence is a reality for all countries and applies to North Korea as well. The country is dependent for its food supplies and other necessities on import from other countries. The use of strategies such as trade embargos can be effective in restricting exports and imports of all items to and from the country. Such measures are adopted to harm the economy of another nation towards accomplishment of political ends.

Concluding remarks
The threat from North Korean possession of weapons of mass destruction has created an environment of distrust and suspicion among the neighboring countries. One of the impacts of the policy of nuclear armament is the increasing hoarding of nuclear weapons by other countries as well to improve their security and minimize external threats. Countries which have struggled to develop a nuclear arsenal to achieve hegemony in their regions  such as those in Asia  are determined to hold on to this still potent symbol of power, and countries which aspire to this, such as Iran, to attempt to develop them (AMR, 2008). Hence it should be noted that while nuclear disarmament is the need for a peaceful global existence and it cannot be applied to a few nations alone. The major nuclear powers of the globe like United States are talking of nuclear disarmament while they stock sufficient weapons of mass destruction. As Mr. Faleomavaega pointed out in his address to the Congress Meet for North Korean Nuclear Negotiations (2005)  How is it possible for our own country and Russia and China and France and Great Britain to tell other countries not to develop a nuclear weapons program, but it was all right for the nuclear five club to maintain and continue to hold onto their own nuclear arsenals (Congress Meet, 2005)

Japan and its ties with America
For the argument -
The anti-American sentiments among Japan have evoked the debate for independent ties and increased sovereignty towards foreign policy decisions. The urge for being a normal nation has created new waves of nationalist feelings among the Japanese population who feel that Japan should focus more on strengthening ties with other Asian and European nations to improve economic growth and development prospects. The various advantages of adopting this stance are briefly outlined as follows

A shift towards a normal nation indicates the total sovereignty of its social, economic, military, and legal policies and actions.

Japan can benefit from a severing of ties with America in terms of increased prestige and respect among other neighboring countries and global powers and enable the country to forge improved relations with other neighboring countries.

This will enhance cooperation among the Asian economies and strengthen their hold over the economic growth and prosperity of the countries.

Freeing itself from US ties will also provide the country with increased independence to pursue a foreign policy that will improve economic ties that work in favor of East Asian economic development.

One of the major limitations facing this move is the historical anger between the neighboring countries. However, this can be resolved through improved diplomacy and collaborative gestures between nations.

Counter argument-
United States is a strong ally and can be effective in quelling unwanted attacks on security of any country. This is one of the primary benefits of maintaining strengthened ties with the global power. Japan will benefit in maintaining its status quo by remaining an ally with the US government. Moreover, there are various issues facing Japan in the event of its severing ties with the US and these include

Increased economic costs on account of reduced assistance from US and its allies.
Neighboring countries might perceive this move as an imminent threat to their independence and might side by US to defend against such threats.

American bases within the Japanese territories will get removed and this may result in perceived weakness of military strengths.

Japan will have to incur the military costs so far maintained by the US.

It can be stated that so far Japan has enjoyed a secured existence under the American hegemony that has shaped its antimilitarist security policy (Miyashita, 2007). Severing this tie can be a big step that requires increased control and management of its economic resources and diplomatic strengths to sustain its position in the East Asian region.

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