With the discourse on social media and on Twitter, the facts of the nuclear threat made by North Korea are getting lost in the fears and speculation. Before we start in on those discussions, here is the crash course on North Korea and their missile program.
Background on North Korea
- North Korea is a nation formed after World War II after the Japanese-occupied country of Korea was split along the 38th parallel. The Soviet Union occupied the North, and the United States occupied the South. The division was originally seen as a temporary measure, but differences in the governance of each part eventually led to the Korean War and subsequent long-term division.
-North Korea has had three leaders since its government formation in 1945, Kim Il-Sung, Kim Jong Il, and Kim Jong Un, the current leader.
-The government describes their system as an independent socialist state, founded on the ideals of Juche, a system of self-reliance penned by the first leader and founder, Kim Il-Sung.
On The Nuclear and Missile Developments
-In January of 2003, North Korea announced their move to withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, a measure put in place by the UN and signed by all but 5 nations that's objective is to start the worldwide process of disarmament and stop the spread of nuclear weapons.
- The first nuclear test of the country was conducted in 2006.
- Since that time North Korea has increased their span of weapons and claimed to be able to miniaturize warheads, as well as to have intercontinental missiles capable of reaching the US.
- In 2017, N. Korea has fired 18 missiles over the course of 12 tests, two of which have been intercontinental missiles. These tests, experts say, are conducted for research into perfecting the weapons, and at the rate they are testing, the technology could be perfected in the next 3 years.
The Standoff and Reactions
- Since President Donald Trump has been in office, there has been a back and forth volley of threats. This in a speech this past Wednesday, Trump stated that should N. Korea take action, the US will respond with "fire and fury like the world has never seen". In response, N. Korea threatened an attack on Guam
- David Kang, director of Korean Studies at the University of Southern California has speculated that "For their part, the North Koreans fully expect a massive American attack at some point, they believe us." and that he believes that N. Korea will not act unless they are attacked.
- In an editorial in the Global Times newspaper, which is considered to be in alignment with the Communist party of China, has stated that “China hopes that all relevant parties will be cautious in their words and actions, and do things that help to alleviate tensions and enhance mutual trust, rather than walk on the old pathway of taking turns in shows of strength, and upgrading the tensions.”
The current escalation is the result of two leaders young in their power, both who are prone to hyperbole, and it is being played out on the world stage. While we can hope that things will de-escalate, in the meantime all there is to do is stay informed and watch for what happens next.
