Limited nuclear-weapon-free zones: the time has come

Abstract

Abstract This paper focuses on the creation, development and current status of the concept of a “limited nuclear-weapon-free zone for Northeast Asia.” While initial work was started in 1991 to develop a system to reinforce the South–North Korean nonaggression and denuclearization treaties, a more formal phase began in January 1995, when a panel of senior military officers met in Atlanta, Georgia. The original panel of general officer-rank specialists from China, Japan, South Korea, Russia and the United States grew in membership to eventually include Mongolia and North Korea, as well as observers from Argentina, Finland and France. The concept was refined in plenary meetings held in Buenos Aires; Bordeaux, France; Moscow; Helsinki; Tokyo; Seoul; Beijing; Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia; Jeju-do, South Korea; Shanghai and Tokyo. The 12th Plenary will be held in Daejeon, South Korea, in October 2008. While the concept of a limited nuclear-free zone has been developed, the international nonproliferation system has com...