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A Senior Seminar Editorial by Julie Mitchell, MHS 2010
A recent article in the Boston Globe pointed out that North Korea performed their second testing of nuclear missiles. Though nuclear missiles were first introduced by the United States in August 1945, countries have been perfecting their own model of destructive nuclear missiles. These countries view nuclear missiles not only as a defense mechanism to protect their country, but the answer to end wars. In order to make a nuclear free world, the United Nations needs to take action into creating a long term strategy.
Though the world does not want to face a global nuclear war, countries are racing to build and test nuclear missiles. The race towards nuclear missiles is predominantly seen in North Korea, as the country is a leading manufacturer and supplier of nuclear missiles to other countries. This should serve as a red flag to the United Nations, to take action in shortening North Korea’s production of KN-02 rockets. The United Nations should try to prevent North Korea or any country from manufacturing future productions of deadly nuclear missiles. On July 4th, North Korea started their first missile testing, launching both seven short and medium ranged missiles into the Sea of Japan. Unfortunately, the first missile maneuver was a success. However, this is just the beginning of North Korea’s missile testing for supposedly training exercises. This past weekend North Korea frightened the world, vigorously continuing its missile testing and classifying it as just routine. However, this second testing should have alerted the United Nations to take more aggressive action into forming a strategy to make North Korea a nuclear free country. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated, “Our goals remain the same. We intend to work toward a nuclear – free Korean Peninsula.” This proves that action is being taken to hopefully put an end to future missile maneuvers in North Korea and forming a nuclear free country.
The United Nations needs to construct a long term strategy that will convert North Korea into becoming a nuclear free country. Hopefully, this goal will not only affect North Korea, but touch upon other countries that are currently or thinking of being involved in nuclear power. Though nuclear missiles symbolize a country’s advancement in nuclear power and strength, there are other strategies a country can follow that are just as powerful without using nuclear arms. During a meeting this past week in Pyongyang, Kin Jong Il advised China’s prime minister, that North Korea’s government is now open to other countries to deepen the discussion of nuclear arms proliferation. Wen Jiabao, China’s Prime Minister visited Japan’s Prime Minister and South Korea’s President, stressing upon having an early resumption of a 6 year old discussion dealing with disarmament. These countries believe the disarmament of nuclear arms will hopefully put an end to future missile maneuvers. As Wen Jiabao stated, “If we miss this opportunity, then we may have to make even more efforts further down the road.” Though future disarmament could possibly end all nuclear issues, it will only work it every country follows this strategy. Hopefully the United Nations can construct a long term strategy to form a nuclear free world!
Though a goal is in the process of being constructed, a strategy needs to be set in stone. One strategy that could potentially limit the proliferation of nuclear arms could be bribery. By providing countries with financial aid, this could be the beginning of a nuclear free world. Though bribing countries can be costly, another strategy could be monthly or yearly meetings held by the United Nations to keep track of progress from each country, furthering the world to a nuclear free country. These meetings would not only benefit in the end, but to make sure that every country is on the same page with keeping the world nuclear free. By creating a nuclear free country, this could form an alliance between these countries and peace throughout the world.
North Korea’s second missile testing, serves as a warning sign for the United Nations to not only prevent the country from performing future nuclear maneuvers, but to strategize a plan to end this global issue. Through the support and aid from other countries, hopefully North Korea can be converted into becoming a nuclear free country. A nuclear free world is better than a nuclear war!