Applying the lessons of South African nuclear disarmament to North Korea

Purpose—This article explores the possibility that South African nuclear disarmament might serve as a model or template for North Korean military denuclearization. Design/methodology/approach—Just as favorable national security, economic and norms based conditions brought about South African nuclear disarmament, similar conditions favorable to Pyongyang can also bring about denuclearization in the DPRK. Findings—Examining the failures of the 1994 Agreed Framework and 2007-2008 nuclear disarmament compromises to effect the DPRK's denuclearization, we can see that they either failed to satisfy North Korea's security and economic needs or did nothing to assure the DPRK's national security. The failure to holistically address Pyongyang's security, economics and norms based concerns results in continued nuclear arms intransigence. Practical implications—This article helps policymakers understand that onesided denuclearization strategies do not work. It is only by effectively addressing Pyongyang's security fears, economic concerns and norms-based pressures that nuclear rollback can be accomplished. Originality/value—There appears to be no other articles comparing South African nuclear disarmament with the North Korean case. Also, multi-dimensional denuclearization analysis involving security, economics and norms perspectives is lacking.Published versio