North Korea Conducts an Underground Nuclear Test

A Fragile Situation Brewing in Northeast Asia.

Tough U.N. action vowed after North Korean nuclear test

North Korea conducted another one of their nuclear tests on Tuesday. The international community is currently investigating into the matter to confirm if it indeed was an underground nuclear explosion. However, the North Korean government already confirmed that they have indeed conducted an underground nuclear test.

The matter has stirred up a hostile situation right after the celebration of the Lunar New Year. The North Korean government led by Kim Jong Eun, the successor of Kim Jong Il, refused to adhere to the sanctions and condemnations of the international community. Conducting the test was a violation to UN Security Council resolutions in the matter.

Countries that involved

Direct involvement

• United States of America
• South Korea
• North Korea
• China
• Japan

Lesser involvement

• Russia
• Great Britain
• Iran

Observations from North Korea’s action

1. North Korea’s nuclear testing does not reinforce the possibility of a peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula.
2. UN must do more than imposing restrictions that are clearly ineffective.
3. China must be involved more in the situation regarding the situation in the Korean Peninsula to negotiate a peaceful solution with the United States to shut down North Korea’s nuclear program.
4. North Korea’s nuclear testing only adds to the fire of animosity in Northeast Asia. International conflicts in Northeast Asia is complex due to nations of: China, South Korea, North Korea, Japan, and Taiwan all having some sort of dispute with two or more of the listed nations.
5. United States’ role as the global policeman may be dawning in Northeast Asia.
6. It is in the interest of the United States to tread carefully in Northeast Asian politics due to the vast influence of economic partnership between the United States, China, Japan, and South Korea.