korean unification studies

North Korea marked the anniversary of the 9 October 2006 nuclear test with an editorial in the Rodong Sinmun that celebrated the test as a “truly great miracle”  which made North Korea “soaring as a powerful and great nation”.

Any ideas that North Korea will give up all of its nuclear assets should be banished from the mind. Even thinking that North Korea will give up its hard won “nuclear deterrent” demonstrates a distinct lack of understanding of North Korea.

To the western mind, nuclear weapons are bad. Owning nuclear weapons is viewed as shameful, testing nuclear weapons is viewed as socially inconsiderate, and pursuing a nuclear program is viewed as evidence of evil intent. In every aspect from our language to artistic expression, nuclear weapons are framed negatively – an abhorrence readily comparable to the apocalyptic visions that sit at the heart of our cultural system of what is good and evil.

To the North Korean mind, nuclear weapons do not carry the same negative connotations. Owning nuclear weapons is viewed as a positive accomplishment. Having nuclear weapons is a sign of status and power. Testing a nuclear weapon is an event to be celebrated, a time of national pride. Pursuing a nuclear program is a justified and natural response to external threats as well as evidence of scientific, educational and political achievement.

In every aspect from language to artistic expression, nuclear weapons are positive. North Korea was born from a nuclear weapon. Nuclear bombs dropped on Japan  achieved what around 40 years of the Korean independence movement failed to achieve. The threat of Soviet nuclear weapons was enough to prevent US use when China intervened in the Korean War. The current nuclear program has enabled North Korea to survive through diplomatic skill and cunning. Nuclear weapons are effectively the only thing between North Korea and a unified Korean peninsula under the leadership of South Korea.

The West and North Korea do not share the same perceptions of nuclear weapons. They can negotiate, as much as they want. But the value of nuclear weapons to North Korea are part of its cultural norms. Until these norms change, which can only occur through opening up – North Korea will never truly give up nuclear weapons.

The Rodong Simun editorial demonstrates that efforts to denuclearise North Korea are only just beginning. There are HUGE hurdles ahead…

Also see a similar take at OneFreeKorea and at DPRK Studies