As North Korea backpedals on its aggravation of tensions on the Korea peninsula, the United States remain firm in their handling of the isolationist nation. The torpedo attack on the Cheonan has been described as an “act of war”, and repeated illicit arms deals between Iran and Myanmar have further fueled distrust in North Korea’s commitments to 6 party talks for denuclearization. “The United States has underscored numerous times that North Korea can only achieve the security and international respect it seeks by ceasing its provocative behavior, improving its relations with its neighbors, complying with international law, and taking irreversible steps toward fulfilling its denuclearization commitments under the September 2005 Joint Statement” states Kurt Campbell, assistant secretary of state for East Asian affairs. Recent nuclear tests and rocket launches further undermine such talks, and has given the US grave doubts regarding the productivity of resuming denuclearization discussion with the DPRK.
Presently, it is unlikely North Korea possesses the capability to launch a nuclear strike. They have enough fissile material to aid in the production of several nuclear bombs, but it is believed that they do not properly have the technology to launch a nuclear capable missile. However, cooperation with other states wishing for nuclear arms such as Iran and Burma may hasten their nuclear launch capability.
Source: Yonhap News
