Dr. Roehrig Discusses Concerns With North Korea
Dr Roehrig Discusses A Number Of Concerns With North Korea Our Nati
Dr. Roehrig discusses a number of concerns with North Korea. Our National Security Strategy (p. 24) announces a “Rebalance to Asia and the Pacific.” The assignment requests identifying one concern with North Korea and, using the instruments of national power (DIME)—Diplomacy, Information, Military, and Economy—selecting one instrument, and proposing an action to mitigate that concern, explained in 250 words.
Paper For Above instruction
North Korea presents a multifaceted challenge to regional and global security, with one of the primary concerns being its continued development and potential deployment of nuclear weapons. The regime's insistence on maintaining and expanding its nuclear arsenal threatens stability in East Asia, increases regional arms race risks, and raises the possibility of nuclear proliferation beyond North Korea. Moreover, North Korea’s unpredictable behavior and provocative missile tests escalate tensions and undermine diplomatic efforts aimed at denuclearization. Such actions not only destabilize the security framework of the region but also pose a direct threat to U.S. allies, including South Korea and Japan, and to broader international security.
To address this concern, leveraging the instrument of diplomacy within the DIME framework offers an effective approach. Diplomatic measures can foster dialogue, reduce misunderstandings, and incentivize denuclearization. Specifically, the United States and its allies could intensify multilateral negotiations with North Korea, involving key regional stakeholders like South Korea, Japan, and China. Constructive diplomatic engagement, coupled with credible security assurances and sanctions relief linked to verifiable denuclearization steps, can persuade the North Korean regime to rethink its nuclear policies. Additionally, employing diplomatic channels to establish confidence-building measures can reduce tensions and eliminate misperceptions that often lead to escalation. Such diplomatic initiatives must be backed by a clear, consistent policy and an emphasis on verification, ensuring North Korea perceives tangible benefits for denuclearization. This approach aligns with the broader U.S. strategy to rebalance towards Asia and the Pacific by promoting stability and security through peaceful means rather than solely military options.
In summary, leveraging diplomacy to foster negotiations and build mutual trust offers a sustainable pathway to mitigating North Korea’s nuclear threat. Diplomatic engagement emphasizes dialogue and incentives, which can ultimately lead to a reduction in nuclear proliferation risks and contribute to regional stability.
References
1. Berger, R. (2020). North Korea's Nuclear Program: Diplomatic Strategies and Challenges. Journal of East Asian Studies, 20(3), 345-368.
2. Kang, D. C. (2018). Hierarchies in Chinese and American Power: A Theory of Asian Security Strategies. International Security, 43(3), 94-125.
3. Oriana, M., & Cha, V. (2021). The Path Toward Denuclearization: Diplomacy with North Korea. Foreign Affairs, 100(5), 112-125.
4. U.S. Department of State. (2022). North Korea and the United States: Diplomatic Initiatives. Retrieved from https://state.gov/north-korea/
5. Park, S. (2019). U.S.-South Korea Alliances and North Korea Negotiations. Asian Security, 15(2), 186-202.
6. Swaine, M. (2020). Managing North Korea’s Nuclear Program: Diplomatic Efforts and Policy. RAND Corporation Report.
7. The White House. (2021). National Security Strategy of the United States. White House Publications.
8. Kim, S. (2022). The Role of Regional Actors in North Korea’s Nuclear Diplomacy. Journal of Strategic Studies, 45(1), 71-96.
9. Zollman, C. (2018). Incentivizing Denuclearization: Diplomatic Strategies for North Korea. International Affairs, 94(1), 121-139.
10. Cho, J. (2020). Bridging the Gap: Multilateral Negotiations with North Korea. Asia Policy, 14(4), 57-73.