North Korea's Move Tests International Will on Nuclear Issues

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In The Media

North Korea's Move Tests International Will on Nuclear Issues

North Korea's recent nuclear test seems to erase any progress in six years of multilateral negotiations. The United States can still pressure North Korea, but it will need China's cooperation.

By Douglas H. Paal

Published on May 25, 2009

Source: Newshour with Jim Lehrer

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) tested its second underground nuclear device Monday. To discuss the North Korean nuclear developments and potential steps that the United States and other nations could take, Douglas Paal joined Joel Wit, a career State Department official and visiting fellow at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, on the Newshour with Jim Lehrer.

Paal pointed out that there are still sanctions that the United States can pursue, like North Korea's ability to sell arms internationally or their access to financial services. Any further sanctions, however, will require the consent and assistance of China. Up to now, Beijing has been noncommittal on its desired outcome for North Korea, but Paal explained that the DPRK’s nuclear test may convince China to put more pressure on Pyongyang.

About the Author

Douglas H. Paal

Distinguished Fellow, Asia Program

Paal previously served as vice chairman of JPMorgan Chase International and as unofficial U.S. representative to Taiwan as director of the American Institute in Taiwan.

Recent Work

Paper
America’s Future in a Dynamic Asia
- Douglas H. Paal
Q&A
U.S.-China Relations at the Forty-Year Mark
- +1
  Douglas H. Paal, Tong Zhao, Chen Qi, …

Security Military Foreign Policy Nuclear Policy North America United States East Asia China North Korea

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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