North Korea: diplomatic efforts

The July 2006 missile tests by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea heightened tension in what is now a long-running diplomatic impasse over North Korea’s pursuit of a nuclear-weapons capability. The current impasse commenced in October 2002, when the United States alleged North Korea had admitted to a nuclear-weapons program during a visit to the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, by US Assistant Secretary of State, James Kelly. The situation rapidly deteriorated with North Korea’s withdrawal from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and the recommencement of nuclear programs. This research note by Jeffrey Robertson looks at North Korea’s aims, its methods of achieving these aims and the ongoing efforts at further diplomacy with North Korea