The Global Citizen: North Korea

Breakthrough Agreement with North Korea

Julia Bunting | March 2nd, 2012
Topics: Arms Control

The United States and North Korea announced a breakthrough agreement earlier this week, with North Korea agreeing to suspend nuclear weapons testing and halt the enrichment of uranium in return for more than 200,000 metric tons of food aid. This food aid is crucial to the famine-stricken nation that has been subject to heavy sanctions, mostly due to its unbending commitment to a nuclear program.

The announcement is the first true sign of how North Korea's young, new leader Kim Jong-un, who took office last December following the unexpected death of his father Kim Jong-il, will approach international negotiations. While the negotiations began before his father's death, the announcement of an agreement highlights Kim's willingness to engage in negotiations to secure aid that helps solidify support at home.

ICC Investigating North Korea for Potential War Crimes

Ariela Blätter | December 6th, 2010
Topics: International Criminal Court, Law & Justice

The International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Ocampo made a surprising announcement this morning at the United Nations. He announced that he has begun an investigation of North Korea's recent attack on the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong and the sinking of a South Korean warship last March, for possible war crimes. Four people, including two civilians, died in the Yeonpyeong shelling on November 23^rd; forty-six people were killed when the warship Cheonan was sunk by a torpedo alleged to have been fired by a North Korean submarine.

Since South Korea is a party to the Rome Statute the Court has jurisdiction over attacks which take place on South Korean soil. North Korea is not a member of the ICC and does not recognize its authority.

North Korea

Citizens for Global Solutions | October 6th, 2009
Topics: Nuclear Disarmament, Prevent War

North Korea's possession of nuclear weapons has been the cause of much tension throughout the international community for several years. After the country's withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 2003, it has repeatedly issued reports of successful nuclear tests. North Korea, now referred to as a "fully fledged nuclear power," has had world leaders at the edge of their seats. But now, according to a New York Times article, the country is expressing interest in rejoining the six-nation talk about its nuclear weapon programs.

Bill Clinton and Detained Journalists Return from North Korea

Citizens for Global Solutions | August 5th, 2009
Topics: Other

On the morning of August 5, former President Bill Clinton returned from North Korea around 6:00 a.m., along with Euna Lee and Laura Ling, two American journalists who had been confined and sentenced to 12 years of hard labor for illegally entering North Korean territory while researching a report on women and human trafficking.

Committee on Foreign Affairs Hosts Hearing on Approaches to Engage North Korea

Citizens for Global Solutions | June 17th, 2009
Topics: Nuclear Disarmament, Prevent War

On June 17, 2009, the Committee on Foreign Affairs hosted a hearing on North Korea's nuclear missile tests and the 6-Party Talks, along with an expert panel of witnesses to advise on the issue. North Korea's aggressive actions with regard to ignoring international calls for denuclearization and the arrest of two American journalists earlier this month have caused much stir in the political field.

North Korean Nuclear Crisis Discussion

Citizens for Global Solutions | May 28th, 2009
Topics: Nuclear Disarmament, Prevent War

Panelist Michael O'Hanlon of the Brookings Institution

North Korean Nuclear Tests

Citizens for Global Solutions | April 6th, 2009
Topics: Nuclear Disarmament, Prevent War

North Korea tested a long range nuclear rocket over the weekend, following talks last Wednesday between President Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev about reducing their countries' nuclear stockpiles. This act violates United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718, which prohibits North Korea from manipulating ballistic missile technologies. It was adopted unanimously in October 2006 as a result of claims that the country had performed successful nuclear tests in the beginning of the month.