Negating North Korea's Nukes: The Political Use of Military Power

Abstract

Abstract : The evident effort of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to obtain nuclear weapons is one of the most significant challenges to U S national security today. The issue came to a head over North Korea' 5 March 1993 announcement of its intention to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) In October 1994 a basis for resolution was accepted by the U S and North Korea in their Agreed Framework The Framework commits North Korea to remain an NPT party and provides a means for ensuring that it does not acquire nuclear weapons The purpose of this paper is to consider measures taken by the U S roughly from 1992 to 1994 designed to achieve its objectives regarding North Korea's nuclear efforts -- nonproliferation, avoidance of war. and assurance of allies The focus of the analysis will be on Washington's use of military power to reach these objectives, though it will also be important to consider the other instruments of power used by the U S in this process The paper will demonstrate that the political use of military power, in conjunction with the other instruments, was essential to the accomplishment of U S objectives Specifically, U S military power was necessary to blunt North Korean military options, making U S economic sanctions credible and giving Pyongyang an incentive to accept a negotiated solution.