North Korea: Between Survival and GloryNorth Korea: The Politics of Regime SurvivalNorth Korea: 2005 and BeyondNuclear North Korea: A Debate on Engagement StrategiesA Troubled Peace: US. Policy and the Two Koreas

Abstract

Despite the warnings from the United Nations (UN) Security Council and many other UN member states, North Korea detonated a nuclear device on October 9, 2006. In responding to North Korea's first nuclear test, U.S. president George W. Bush sent a strong message that North Korea had defied the will of the international community, and that the international community would respond. The UN Security Council then embarked upon levying sanctions against North Korea. North Korea was thus forced to choose between survival and glory. Its impoverished economy threatened its very survival, while it sought glory from nuclear power status. Under these circumstances, North Korea returned to the Six Party talks and agreed upon "Initial Actions for the Implementation of the Joint Statement" on February 13, 2007. However, it is debatable whether the February 13 agreement was the result of international pressure