Issue Position: North Korea

Issue Position

Issue Position: North Korea

North Korea's nuclear weapons became an immediate focus of American foreign policy following North Korea 's acknowledgment of its secret uranium enrichment program and its withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in January 2003. U.S. intelligence assessments have also concluded that North Korea probably has manufactured at least one nuclear weapon.

On July 4, 2006, North Korea test-fired several missiles, including one long-range Taepodong-2 ballistic missile. As a result of the recent tests, the United Nations Security Council unanimously passed a resolution on July 15, 2006, requiring all member states to prevent the transfer of financial resources and technology to North Korea in relation to Pyongyang missile or weapons of mass destruction programs. It further strongly urged North Korea to return to the six party talks - which North Korea immediately rejected.

I believe the Bush Administration has rightly expressed a deep skepticism of North Korea 's willingness to abide by its agreements. In 1994, North Korea agreed to a "framework" to end its nuclear programs in exchange for economic aid. Subsequently, it accepted the aid without upholding its end of the bargain. To make any further concessions now would only reward North Korea for not keeping its promises, and it would encourage other countries to abuse their nuclear agreements.

My hope is that the United States can continue to work with China, Russia, South Korea, and Japan to apply adequate pressure to discourage further expansion of North Korea's nuclear ambitions and to effectively dismantle the programs that North Korea previously agreed to cease.

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