North Korea is a major nuclear power that attracts attention especially in the Asia-Pacific Region and generally at the global level. As a matter of fact, this situation creates a significant danger. Because Pyongyang is not only developing its nuclear power, it also conducts intensive ballistic and nuclear missile tests.
As a matter of fact, according to the statement made by the South Korean Army on March 27, 2023, North Korea launched two ballistic missiles off the east coast of the Korean Peninsula. It is stated that this launch was made due to the exercises held in the region in partnership with the United States (USA) and South Korea. Later, the South Korean General Staff (JSC) condemned the launch as a violation of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and underlined that the military exercises would continue as planned[1].
Moreover, according to the Korea Central News Agency (KCNA), the North Korean State Media, Pyongyang promoted new nuclear warheads after a US aircraft carrier flew to South Korea on March 28, 2023. At the same time, it was underlined that North Korean President Kim Jong Un promised to produce more nuclear materials to expand the country’s arsenal. The KCNA also said that Kim Jong Un visited the Nuclear Weapons Institute to study new tactical nuclear weapons, technology for attaching warheads to ballistic missiles, and nuclear counterattack operational plans[2].
On the other hand, KCNA has published a photo of the Hwasong-31s, the latest tactical nuclear missiles developed by North Korea. Moreover, experts stated that these missiles have a sufficient range to hit the USA[3].
Additionally, in a statement on March 28, 2023, White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said that North Korea is not willing to accept the US’s offer to negotiate on its nuclear weapons program; however, he stated that the offer is still valid[4]. As a matter of fact, in this situation, the West and Washington did not only use hard force, exercise diplomacy, deterrence and military security measures; it can also be read as preferring diplomacy, negotiation and dialogue methods.
It is also crucial that Japan, South Korea, and the United States agree to enhance security cooperation in response to the growing threats from Pyongyang, denouncing North Korea’s first solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test. Because Seoul, Tokyo, and Washington have agreed to regularize missile defense exercises and anti-submarine exercises with the goal of deterring and responding to the threat posed by Pyongyang’s ballistic missile and nuclear tests.
This situation was stated in the joint statement published at the end of the 13th Tripartite Defense Negotiations held in Washington on April 15, 2023. In addition, the statement called on Pyongyang to “immediately cease all destabilizing activities” and underlined that “any nuclear test in North Korea will be met with a strong and determined response from the international community”[5].
While calls for dialogue and negotiation are being made on the one hand; on the other hand, it means that military deterrence continues. Because the South Korean Army announced that it opened a warning fire on a North Korean ship crossing the sea border on April 15, 2023. The statement included the following statement:[6]
“Our military maintains decisive battle posture while monitoring the enemy’s movements in preparation for potential provocations regarding NLL violations by North Korean patrol boats.”
As a result, it can be predicted that the nuclear tension in the region will continue in such a conjuncture, where the tension has escalated so much, North Korea has left its calls for dialogue unanswered, and its nuclear weapons developments and tests have been implemented so quickly, and the West Pole has accelerated its military exercises.
[1] “North Korea Fires Ballistic Missiles After Protesting US Drills”, Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/3/27/north-korea-fires-ballistic-missiles-toward-sea-of-japan, (Date of Accession: 02.05.2023).
[2] “North Korea Unveils New Nuclear Warheads as Us Air Carrier Arrives in South Korea”, Channel News Asia, https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/north-korea-kim-nuclear-materials-weapons-grade-scaling-3378416, (Date of Accession: 02.05.2023).
[3] “North Korea Unveils New Nuclear Warheads as US Air Carrier Arrives in South”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/north-koreas-kim-calls-scaling-up-weapons-grade-nuclear-materials-kcna-2023-03-27/, (Date of Accession: 02.05.2023).
[4] “White House: Seen No Willingness by North Korea to Discuss Nukes”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/us/white-house-seen-no-willingness-by-north-korea-discuss-nukes-2023-03-28/, (Date of Accession: 02.05.2023).
[5] “S Korea, Japan, US to Deepen Security Ties Amid N Korea Threat, AL Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/15/s-korea-japan-us-to-deepen-security-ties-amid-n-korea-threat, (Date of Accession: 02.05.2023).
[6] “South Korea Fires Warning Shots After North Korea’s Boat Crosses Sea Border”, Channel News Asia, https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/korea-south-vessel-fires-warning-shots-north-patrol-boat-crosses-sea-border-3421176, (Date of Accession: 02.05.2023).
