“Nuclearization” and “De-nuclearization”: Double Games of National Security and International Security over Korean Peninsular

Su Hao, Professor/Ph.D.
China Foreign Affairs University

Abstract:
By making three nuclear tests, DPRK has, to a certain extent, become a country with nuclear capacity. In the process of DPRK’s “nuclearization”, it must have a design of nuclear strategy. Although we have no access to the real content of DPRK’s nuclear strategy or its intention and action of nuclear deterrence towards its opponents, we can infer the intention of its nuclear strategy through general nuclear strategy and nuclear deterrence theories. At present, North Korea, as a sovereign country, could take its action of “nuclearization” with two considerations base upon its national security concerns: the first is to respond to the military superiority from the US and South Korea; the second is to provide legal support to the current regime with its legitimacy domesticaly. In the national security games between North Korea and South Korea and the US, it seemed that “nuclear choice” was a rational act, so the nuclear strategy was also a reasonable need for North Korea’s national security. However, North Korea is a member of the international community, and must take up the responsibility of maitaning peace and stability of the international society. In fact, in the international security system based on NPT, North Korea’s nuclear program has posed serious danger to the international peace and stability, and enormous challenge to the security environment in Northeast Asia. In the meantime, it also constitutes great potential threat to the national security of its northern neighbors—China and Russia. If North Korea continues its “nuclearization”, it will become a troublemaker to international security. The international community must definitely deny its “nuclearization” and sanction its actions of breaking NPT and endangering international security. We should never allow a country’s selfish and irresponsible action to jeopardize the common security interest of the international community. Therefore, DPRC has no choice but to give up its nuclear program, otherwise, it could not live up under the great pressure from convergence of international society.