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North Korea Flashcards

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1
Q

What are nuclear weapons?

A

explosive devices that derive destructive force from nuclear reactions

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2
Q

What are nuclear weapons made of?

A

Uranium (U235 or natural U238) and Plutonium

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3
Q

3 things required to construct nuclear weapons

A
  1. Supply of weapons grade radioactive isotopes to create a nuclear reaction
  2. A delivery system to deliver the weapon to its target
  3. Time, money and scientific expertise
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4
Q

Countries with nuclear weapons

A

USA, Russia, China, UK, France, India, Pakistan, Israel, North Korea

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5
Q

Effects of nuclear weapons on humans

A

Burns
Gamma rays - radiation
High casualties

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6
Q

Effects of nuclear weapons on environment

A

Freezing temperatures
Little food + safe water
Buildings/infrastructure destroyed
Bomb explodes under water = nuclear matter sprayed everywhere/tidal wave/sea life harmed
Agriculture reduced for at least a year
Soot into atmosphere

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7
Q

Why do states want nuclear weapons?

A
  1. Security
  2. International prestige
  3. National pride + domestic stability
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8
Q

Nuclear Proliferation

A

The increase in the amount, yield and spread of nuclear weapons

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9
Q

Vertical Proliferation

A

Increase in number and yield of weapons in existing nuclear weapon states

Development of teach increasing reliability, range and accuracy of targeting + ability of delivery systems

Modernisation/upgrading existing nuclear weapons

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10
Q

Horizontal Proliferation

A

Transfer of nuclear weapons or to the tech to build them to non nuclear states

Acquisition or development of nuclear weapons by non nuclear states

Spread of nuclear weapons or the tech to build them to non state actors

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11
Q

What was the purpose of the NPT?

A

prevent spread of nuclear weapons and promote peaceful uses of nuclear energy

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12
Q

What are the 3 pillars of non-proliferation?

A
  1. Non proliferation
  2. Disarmament
  3. The right to peacefully use nuclear technology
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13
Q

Pillar 1 of Non Proliferation

A

Non Proliferation
Nuclear states: must not transfer technology or assist or encourage any other states to acquire nuclear weapons
Non nuclear states: must not attempt to obtain nuclear technologies

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14
Q

Pillar 2 of Non Proliferation

A

Disarmament
Nuclear states: must take effective measures to decrease nukes and eventually completely disarm
Non nuclear: must not attempt to acquire nukes

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15
Q

Pillar 3 of Non Proliferation

A

All parties have the right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes
Nuclear tech may be shared between signatories if used for peaceful purposes

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16
Q

What does IAEA stand for?

A

International Atomic Energy Agency

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17
Q

What is IAEA?

A

a central intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical co operation in the nuclear field

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18
Q

Why was IAEA created?

A

In response to fears about the misuse of nuclear technology (1957)

Promotes safe and peaceful use of nuclear technology

Ensuring compliance with NPT

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19
Q

Explain IAEA’s key verification responsibilities

A

Ensures states are using their nuclear weapons for peaceful purposes

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20
Q

What does CSA stand for?

A

Comprehensive Safeguard Agreement

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21
Q

What is the role of CSA?

A

Perform regular inspections of nuclear facilities

Ensure nuclear material is not being used to make weapons

Requires states to provide a list of all nuclear materials and facilities

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22
Q

What are some limitations of the CSA?

A

can only conduct inspections when invited by a state

states can hide activity from inspectors

Failed inspections don’t have a real consequence

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23
Q

What are the criticisms of the NPT?

A

Unjustly favors 5 original nuclear states

Nuclear states haven’t fulfilled their disarmament obligations

The right to peaceful nuclear energy can be abused

States can withdraw with little effort and few consequences

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24
Q

Explain how the NPT unjustly favours the five original states

A

Seen as special states who are allowed to keep nukes if they commit to vague disarmament commitments

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25
Why was Korea split along the 38th parallel?
Japanese defeat in WW2 forced them to surrender to the allies and Korea was then controlled by US and USSR
26
Who controlled Korea between 1945-47?
North = USSR South = US
27
What was UNGA resolution 112?
Nov 14 1947 called for withdrawal of foreign troops for elections to be held (was boycotted by the USSR so elections only held in ROK)
28
What does DPRK stand for?
Democratic People's Republic of Korea
29
Was the division of Korea supposed to be permanent?
No, seen as temporary and both gov considered themselves the legitimate gov of all of Korea
30
Explain the impacts of the Korean War in relation to damage of infrastructure and economy
Both ROK and DPRK economies and infrastructure damaged 1950-53: 3-4million civilian casualties ROK didn't begin recovering until the 1980s DPRK stagnated and fell behind ROK
31
Impacts of Korea remaining divided after the war
1953 armistice = ceasefire not peace treaty Demilitarized zone Unable to visit or communicate with each other
32
Explain the siege mentality of DPRK
They consider themselves constantly under attack/feel threatened = want nuclear weapons as a security blanket
33
How did Kim Il Sung quickly consolidate political power after the Korean War?
By 1956: purged all political opponents One man dictatorship - Kim made all decisions Cult of personality established around Kim Assistance from USSR an China = mid 1960s the DPRK economy was the same size as ROK Economy was based on communist principles, focused on heavy industry and arms manufacturing
34
What is Juche?
self reliance ideology, ideological autonomy, economic self sufficiency, military independence DPRK must rely solely on its own strength (1955)
35
What was the 1958 Songbun System?
Three classes of people based on political reliability
36
What were the three classes of the classist Songbun system?
Core class = 30% of pop consists of high ranking party members Wavering class = 40% of pop - average North Korean citizens Hostile class = 30% of pop subversives who were believed to never accept communism so need to be suppressed
37
What are the 4 phases of the North Korea nuclear program?
Phase 1: Development of nuclear infrastructure (1953-1980) Phase 2: Start of weapons program (1980-1994) Phase 3: Agreed Framework period (1994-2002) Phase 4: DPRK becomes a nuclear state (2003 - Present)
38
Give a brief outline of Phase 1
Focused on training nuclear scientists and building nuclear infrastructure Assistance of the USSR and communist China
39
Give a brief outline of Phase 2
Start of plutonium production for use in weapons Attempts discovered - leads to 1994 Agreed Framework between US + DPRK
40
Give a brief outline on Phase 3
DPRK stops plutonium production but begins enriching uranium in secret DPRK begins developing its missile technology Tensions increase between the US and DPRK - both sides accuse each other of not abiding by the Agreed Framework
40
Give a brief outline of Phase 4
2003: North Korea withdraws from NPT and restarts plutonium production 2006: First nuclear test - UNSC imposes sanctions on the regime Six party talks attempt to resolve the situation North Korea continues to develop its missile capacity
41
What is Yongbyon?
A nuclear scientific research center where small radioactive isotopes are developed, training of nuclear scientists + engineers
42
What is a LWR?
A Light Water Reactor is a type of nuclear reactor that requires only 5% enriched uranium that produced less plutonium than other forms of reactors
43
Why did the DPRK sign the NPT?
To gain Soviet assistance in building 4 LWR
44
What happens in 1980-1990s
Severe economic stagnation in North Korea Centrally planned economy created but caused inefficiency and mismanagement (as well as shortages and wastages) Authoritarian and uncompromising leadership style (Kim Jong Il)
45
What was the impact of the end of the Cold War (1989)?
Lost main economic and defense ally
46
What was the impact of the collapse of the USSR (1991)?
Fewer trading partners and less economic aid China = only remaining ally
47
When did Kim Jong Il come into power?
When his father (Kim il-Sung) died from a heart attack on the 8th of July 1994
48
What happened between 1980 and 1986?
DPRK built several new facilities at Yongbyon New 50MW reactor and factory to enrich uranium and a facility used to extract plutonium
49
What was discovered in 1989 regarding Yongbyon?
Satellite photos revealed new facilities being constructed
50
What did the IAEA inspectors discover in May 1992?
DPRK was not revealing the full extent of their plutonium production Hans Blix suggested they were producing plutonium for the use in weapons Over the next few months, DPRK blocked IAEA from inspecting nuclear waste sites
51
What happens in 1993? (End of phase 2)
DPRK threatens to withdraw from NPT Clinton began negotiations to keep them in the NPT and after89 day, DPRK decided they would stay in NPT
52
When was the Agreed Framework signed?
October 12 1994
53
Who signed the Agreed Framework and where was it signed?
North Korea and the US signed it in Geneva
54
What were the US commitments of the Agreed Framework?
By 2003, DPRK's nuclear reactors would be replaced with two 1000MV LWR supplied by US 500,000 tons of heating + electricity per year US provides security assistance that they won't use nukes in Korea
55
What were the DPRK commitments of the Agreed Framework?
Remain part of the NPT Comply with IAEA safeguards (ensure LWR being used for peaceful purposes) Implement the 1992 Joint Declaration on the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula (an agreement between ROK and DPRK to create a nuke free zone in Korean peninsula)
56
What commitments did the US and the DPRK both have to follow - Agreed Framework?
Aim to sign a peace treaty and move towards more full political and economic relations Establish diplomatic relations Work toward reunification some time in the future
57
What were the successes of the Agreed Framework?
First time DPRK and US had negotiated since the 1953 armistice DPRK remained in NPT for 10 more years DPRK Pu production was frozen and IAEA inspections took place Averted possibility of war between DPRK + US Resulted in closer ties forming between the DPRK + US
58
What were the criticisms of the Agreed Framework?
Deal = too generous for DPRK (because: 1000MW reactors = many times more powerful than existing reactors, argued that they couldn't be trusted, assistance to regime = continuation of despotic dangerous + irrational dictatorship) Negotiated without consulting ROK - interests not considered (ROK + Japan providing most of funding for nukes) Clinton admin believed that collapse of regime = immanent Deal covered isotope production but not missile technology
59
What did Kim Jong Il implement/keep when he became the Supreme leader?
Continued economic and political system developed by Kim Il Sung Restrictions on population - long periods of military service + restrictions on travel Cult of personality kept intact + worship encouraged
60
What were the impacts of the 1996 flood?
Economic mismanagement + widespread famine
61
How many North Koreans died between 1994-98 and why?
240,000 - 3 million Starvation
62
What was the military first policy?
Songun was incorporated into Juche in 1995 It increased the role of the Korean People's Army in daily life Military = highest priority in economic planning and resource allocation Nuclear weapon development given high priority
63
Why did North Korea desire more military strength?
Precarious international position Series of crisis and lack of allies = DPRK feeling insecure Way of consolidating Kim Jong Il's power
64
How did the Songun policy exacerbate the economic crisis?
High gov spending (about 25% of GDP) Resources allocated to army first
65
What's a Non-Aggression Pact?
A bilateral or multilateral treaty where the parties promise not to engage in military activity with each other
66
When did The DPRK launch a rocket containing a satellite?
Aug 31 1998
67
What did Bush call North Korea in Jan 2002?
a member of the 'Axis of Evil'
68
Describe what happened in Oct 2002 in Phase 3
US said they had evidence of DPRK secret uranium enriching program AND DPRK argues that US hasn't kept promises in relation to Agreed Framework (LWR behind schedule) = defending their rights to nukes or offering to halt in return for US non aggression pact
69
When does North Korea withdraw from NPT?
Jan 10 2003
70
What are the consequences of DPRK withdrawing from NPT?
Nuclear crisis Jan 28: Bush accused DPRK of deception Jan 29: Bush responds that it was an "undisguised declaration of aggression to topple the DPRK system"
71
Why does Bush believe DPRK's regimes are a threat to international peace and security of the US?
Blackmail, nerve gas, weapons of mass destruction = danger + harmful Impacts = catastrophic + destabilizing + supporting terrorism
72
Why did the Six Party Talks occur?
Regarding DPRK's withdrawal from NPT
73
Who are the six parties?
DPRK ROK Russia China USA Japan
73
When and where were the Six Party Talks held?
Beijing 2003-2007
74
When did the first three rounds occur?
Aug 2003 - June 2004
75
What resulted from the first three talks? Why?
No agreements reached BECAUSE US demanded "complete, verifiable, and irreversible" disarmament DPRK stated it would dismantle nuclear weapons but not peaceful nuclear program China + Russia = supported agreement ROK, Japan, US = opposed (b/c DPRK's peaceful program could be used to build weapons) = lack of trust
76
What did the DPRK declare in the Six Party Talks during Feb 2005?
They have nuclear weapons and will no longer take part in Six Party Talk
77
What resulted from the July 2005 negotiations between US and DPRK?
US recognized DPRK as a sovereign state and stated that it would not invade the DPRK DPRK agreed to return to negotiation table
78
When was the 4th round of Six Party Talks?
July 25 2005
79
What resulted from the 4th round of negotiations? (Six Party Talks)
Joint Agreement signed in Sept DPRK = abandon all nuclear programs, return to NPT + accept IAEA inspections US + ROK = promise not to nuke peninsula + not invade DPRK All = respect DPRK's right to use peaceful nuclear energy
80
What did DPRK do between the 4-5th of July 2006?
Test fired 7 missiles including an ICBM AND announced they would continue to launch more missiles b/c it was their sovereign right to carry out missile tests
81
When was UNSC resolution 1718 formed?
Oct 14 2006
82
Describe resolution 1718
A resolution that was passed unanimously stating that DPRK must not conduct any further nuclear tests or launch of a ballistic missile (IBCM). It also states that they must "return immediately to the six-party talks without precondition". Shipments to and from DRPK must be stopped and inspected (for nuclear/WMD components). Imports and exports were banned. International travel ban. Companies and individuals involved in nuke production were frozen.
83
Why did DPRK come back for the 5th round of the Six Party Talks?
DPRK forced to return to talks by China + UNSC sanctions
84
What happened in the 5th round of the Six Party Talks?
DPRK committed to shutting down and sealing Yongbyon facilities within 60 days Agreed to provide a list of all nuclear related activities All parties must provide 50,000 tons of heavy fuel oil within 60 days (as a replacement to nuclear sources)
85
What happened during the 6th round of the Six Party Talks? (March - Oct 2007)
DPRK walked out over delays in the release of sanctioned funds July: IAEA confirmed that Yongbyon reactor shut down + sealed Sept/Oct: DPRK makes series of commitments Other parties provide $1+ million tons of fuel ol as aid
86
What commitments did the DPRK make between Sept/Oct 2007 during the 6th round of the Six Party Talks?
Disabling three key nuclear facilities at the Yongbyon complex Provision of a list of nuclear activities by the end of the year Promise not to transfer nuclear material or technology to other states
87
Why did DPRK attempt to launch a nuclear satellite on April 5 2009?
Wanted to broadcast "immortal revolutionary songs" from space Sources suggest it failed and crashed in the Pacific Ocean

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