On June 12,2018, President Trump and Kim Jong-un held a summit in Singapore to discuss North Korea ’s nuclear program and the potential…
On June 12,2018, President Trump and Kim Jong-un held a summit in Singapore to discuss North Korea ’s nuclear program and the potential for denuclearization. During the summit, Mr. Trump committed to provide “security guarantees” to North Korea in exchange for Mr. Kim pledging his unwavering commitment to “complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.”
While this summit may prove to be a first step toward reducing the nuclear threat, the White House and Congress must work together with the international community to create a plan for permanent denuclearization and sufficient verification mechanisms.
In addition to being a rogue state, North Korea also has a history of being a weapons proliferator. During the Bush administration, North Korea withdrew from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and reactivated a nuclear reactor capable of producing plutonium for weapons use.
Additionally, during the Obama administration, North Korea successfully detonated at least three nuclear devices and missiles capable of striking targets in the continental United States. Despite these significant milestones, both administrations did little to deter North Korea from developing nuclear weapons capable of reaching the United States.
The escalation of North Korea ’s nuclear weapons program has now spanned across three presidential administrations. Therefore it is clear: Our strategy must change. The United States can no longer afford to pursue ineffective denuclearization policies, especially with the growing threat to our national security.
Obviously, a new approach will not change the result overnight; these things take time.
