Running Head: INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL SYSTEMS
International Political Systems
American Military University
January 14, 2018
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The United States and North Korea
North Korea has served as the perfect example for rebellious states for more than five
decades. It has sought after a nuclear weapons program, exported and constructed ballistic rockets,
supported acts of terror, allegedly took an interest in counterfeiting and the drug trade, and
represented a constant risk to U.S. interests and allies, bringing about the stationing of U.S. forces
in Japan and South Korea (Clinton, 2011). Be that as it may, it has likewise been the subject of a
policy experiment. Both Democratic and Republican administrations have attempted to engage
Pyongyang in improving relations and ending its offensive conduct. That strategy, though
politically controversial, especially amid the Clinton administration, is most likely here to stay.
Perhaps the critical question that this paper tries to answer is whether the latest moves by the North
to better relations with Washington and Seoul matter (Cumings, 2011). This paper will divulge
that, regardless of its small populace, seemingly meaningless economy, and easily misplaced size,
North Korea is worth real attention and scrutiny. Good
North Korea sits in a district of strategic interest and significant influence. The Democratic
People's Republic of Korea shares its peninsula with the American-backed Republic of Korea, a
northern bit with the Russian Federation, and shares almost 900 miles with the People's Republic
of China. Recalling that Tokyo is less than 700 miles east over the Sea of Japan from North Korea,
a nation which is almost as big as the American state of Mississippi, the country remains mostly
encompassed by half of the militarily superior and financially commanding Group of 8 countries
(Cumings, 2011). Without a doubt, it is difficult to envision that any nation would think a neighbor
did not matter, and, as North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un has such a large number of the world's
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most powerful leaders as neighbors, it appears to be sensible to think, thus, that North Korea
matters.
The most unmistakable face of North Korea, its leader Kim Jong-Un, is likewise another
one of the main reasons why the country demands attention. While a few powers in the district
appear to find nuclear expansion distasteful only, the American government has a history which
shows that its administration has a genuine hatred for Kim Jong-Un, the man. It may be stated that
the present legislation in the U.S. has been off-base many times and that its ideological interests
have veered from the stable sober-mindedness of preceding administrations (Cumings, 2011).
However, regardless of whether Kim Jong-Un is a reasonable leader or not, there is mounting
proof that America's criticism of North Korea's 'Beloved Leader' is well-founded. Good
Contempt for Kim may in like manner exist inside his state. Numerous displaced people
that got away from North Korea have suggested that Kim has survived various attempts on his life
designed by groups of people inside his administration (Cumings, 2011). The man has been, and
still is, integral to North Korea's identity towards a significant part of the world, and is a big reason
why North Korea gets global attention and deserves it all, if only on dishonorable grounds.
All that attention, primarily that which is directed towards the nation's leader, has likely
helped in giving rise to the North Korean military, which, regardless of the nation's small size, is
maybe the most cited reason behind the DPRK meriting the scrutiny it gets (Clinton, 2011). Today,
the North Korean military is not something that other states trifle with, rather, it is seen by some
as an undeniable danger to the entire peninsula. The military is budgeted between thirty and fifty
percent of the nation's GDP, effectively the most significant percentage of any country on the
planet, as per CIA insights. The Korean People's armed force brags an estimated 1.2 million active-
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duty servicemen, with no less than 5 million more in reserve (Cumings, 2011). While there is some
uncertainty about the North's capacity to launch a conventional invasion, the danger it poses is
genuine.
Maybe even more alarming is the revelation that North Korea has been accused of creating
biological and chemical weapons programs all through the 21st Century. Even still, there is no
agreement over how threatening the conventional military strength of DPRK ought to be, yet the
rational discussion in itself offers credence to the need of a North Korean-focus within the global
community (Clinton, 2011).
On account of North Korea, the need for attention is significantly higher, as the nation's
leader has indicated at his enthusiasm for utilizing his nuclear program to expand his ability to
negotiate with America and other powerful countries. The possibility that, past further proliferation
or misuse, Pyongyang would employ its recently gained deterrent to force the United States or
various powers to act differently in contrast to the way that they might have may when dealing
with a nation of North Korea's influence and size unaltered conditions, is impressively alarming
(Cumings, 2011). In that manner, its nuclear program, regardless of being, or maybe because it is,
mostly unknown is likely the most significant reason for and defense of the attention that the DPRK
gets.
Literature Review
A few scholars have expressed that the threat the DPRK poses is exaggerated. As indicated
by them, North Korea harbors no extreme or aggressive danger to the peninsula or the world and
the nation's resistance veils an appeal to standardize relations (McCormack, 2004). Some declare
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that the Kim administration has acted reasonably, facing mounting global pressures. Regardless of
whether North Korea is a state to be pitied or dreaded is a debate worth having; this may clarify
why it is such a well-known one among world leaders and scholars alike (McCormack, 2004).
As per an article by Robert Carlin and Robert Jervis, North Korea's nuclear arsenal will
probably grow over the following five years, and capabilities in delivering them are probably going
to improve (Carlin & Jervis, 2015). Most observers are concerned with the likelihood of a
progressively reckless North Korean conduct—that is, hazardous activities rather than heightened
rhetoric. The implicit assumption driving this worry seems to be that the North has been a stealthy
snake sitting tight for its chance to strike. There are reasonable assessments that by the year 2020
the nation could be in possession of somewhere between 20 to 100 atomic weapons, more likely
with short-range delivery capabilities, perhaps with medium range capability, and, in the worstcase scenario, with intercontinental ability (Carlin & Jervis, 2015). Good
The North Korean administration has additionally been found blameworthy of overseeing
one of the worst human rights' records on the planet. It has time and again been condemned by
governments around the world including the Human Rights Watch, the United Nations, Amnesty
International, and the European Union (Donnelly & Whelan, 2017). Global human rights
representatives are for the most part united in the view that there are scarcely any modern parallels
to the infringement of human rights under the North Korean administration. Natives of this East
Asian nation persevere through a full range of human rights violations. They lack the right to speak
freely, and the dissidents are subjected to slave labor and detained (Margesson, Chanlett-Avery &
Bruno, 2007). Good
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The People's Republic of China (PRC) assumes a vital part of U.S. policies toward the
DPRK. The People's Republic of China is North Korea's closest partner, the largest food supplier
most prominent supplier of food, fuel, and mechanical apparatus, and ostensibly the nation's most
able to have an impact on Pyongyang. This close bilateral relationship is essential to U.S.
policymakers. This is because China assumes a vital part in the accomplishment of U.S. endeavors
to stop North Korea's atomic weapons and ballistic rocket programs. It also plays a role in
preventing nuclear expansion, implementing monetary sanctions, keeping the tranquility on the
Korean Peninsula, and guaranteeing that North Korean refugees that move to China get humane
treatment. (Xu & Bajoria, 2014).
As North Korea's primary benefactor and trading partner, China can assume the part of an
intermediary or may even exercise leverage with North Korea's capital during a crisis, especially
following a military incitement by North Korea when South Korea or the United States has little
direct correspondence with the country's leaders (Chanlett-Avery & Rinehart, 2014). China's
actions are additionally a key to transforming the DPRK's broken economy and meeting the
fundamental human needs of the North Korean citizens.
Conclusion
The purpose of this paper was to demonstrate how North Korea merits the attention it gets.
Undoubtedly, its position in the middle of four incredibly influential and powerful states and as a
part of a remote kingdom commands and creates attention. Moreover, with a disproportionately
substantial armed force, in relation to its size, populace and financial standing, and an apparent
atomic weapons program, North Korea, undoubtedly, needs to remain the focus of foreign forces.
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In these two expansive ways, there is no doubting that, in spite of being only a small nation, North
Korea matters.
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Reference
Carlin, R., & Jervis, R. (2015). Nuclear North Korea: How Will It Behave?. US-Korea Institute at
SAIS, North Korea's Nuclear Futures Series,(October 2015), 7.
Chanlett-Avery, E., & Rinehart, I. E. (2014). North Korea: US Relations, Nuclear Diplomacy, and
Internal Situation. Current Politics and Economics of Northern and Western Asia, 23(3),
333.
Clinton, Hillary. "America’s Pacific century." Foreign policy 189.1 (2011): 56-63.
Cumings, B. (2011). North Korea: another country. The New Press.
Donnelly, J., & Whelan, D. J. (2017). International human rights. Hachette UK.
Margesson, R., Chanlett-Avery, E., & Bruno, A. (2007, September). North Korean refugees in
China and human rights issues: International response and US policy options. LIBRARY
OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE.
McCormack, G. (2004). Target North Korea: Pushing North Korea to the brink of nuclear
catastrophe. Random House Australia.
Xu, B., & Bajoria, J. (2014). The China-North Korea Relationship. Council on foreign relations.
John,
Thank you for submitting your assignment.
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You thoroughly understand and excel in explaining all major points. Overall format of your
proposal includes an appropriate introduction and well- developed paragraphs. This proposal
demonstrates your ability to plan and organize research in a logical sequence.
Best,
Dr. Ahmed
Criteria
Exemplary
16-20
of 17
Synthesis
Knowledge
Foundation of
Knowledge
Application of
Knowledge
Organization of
Ideas/Format
Writing
and
Research Skill
Grade: 90
19
17
18
19
Accomplished
11-15
Developing
6-10
Beginning
0-5
Total
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