The North Korean Nuclear Crisis: Motives, Progress, and Prospects

Since the first North Korean nuclear crisis started in 1994, more than a decade has passed. During the time, period, numerous meetings and negotiations among relevant parties have occurred and enormous amounts of economic aid from South Korea and the United States have been provided to North Korea. The Geneva Agreed Framework was made in 1994, and the six-party talk members successfully drew the 2.13 agreement in 2007. However, the nuclear crisis is yet to be solved and few expect that it will be over soon. Thus, we analyzed some of the motives that have driven North Korea to develop nuclear weapons. The history of the North Korean nuclear program suggests regime survival is one answer. They also employ various tactics over different time period. To deal with them, therefore, synchronized action between Washington and Seoul will be critical.