|
|
BY MONTE R. BULLARD AND JUDITH NORTON | IN-DEPTH PIECE North Korea’s pursuit of nuclear capabilities and their delivery systems is trouble for the U.S. and the PRC. The two powers have concerns regarding the North’s nuclear and missile proliferation. The PRC is concerned about the impact of the continued advancement of North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs on the regional security architecture. For the U.S., North Korea poses a major challenge to nonproliferation, a cornerstone of American foreign policy. For the U.S. and the PRC, North Korea’s nuclear ambitions could serve as a structural force sparking a regional nuclear arms race with Japan in the lead, which in turn could reignite the nuclear ambitions of South Korea and, to a lesser extent, Taiwan… all of which have the indigenous capability to develop nuclear weapons.
|