North Korea Flashcards
What are nuclear weapons?
explosive devices that derive destructive force from nuclear reactions
What are nuclear weapons made of?
Uranium (U235 or natural U238) and Plutonium
3 things required to construct nuclear weapons
- Supply of weapons grade radioactive isotopes to create a nuclear reaction
- A delivery system to deliver the weapon to its target
- Time, money and scientific expertise
Countries with nuclear weapons
USA, Russia, China, UK, France, India, Pakistan, Israel, North Korea
Effects of nuclear weapons on humans
Burns
Gamma rays - radiation
High casualties
Effects of nuclear weapons on environment
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
Why do states want nuclear weapons?
- Security
- International prestige
- National pride + domestic stability
Nuclear Proliferation
The increase in the amount, yield and spread of nuclear weapons
Vertical Proliferation
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
Horizontal Proliferation
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
What was the purpose of the NPT?
prevent spread of nuclear weapons and promote peaceful uses of nuclear energy
What are the 3 pillars of non-proliferation?
- Non proliferation
- Disarmament
- The right to peacefully use nuclear technology
Pillar 1 of Non Proliferation
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
Pillar 2 of Non Proliferation
Disarmament
Nuclear states: must take effective measures to decrease nukes and eventually completely disarm
Non nuclear: must not attempt to acquire nukes
Pillar 3 of Non Proliferation
All parties have the right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes
Nuclear tech may be shared between signatories if used for peaceful purposes
What does IAEA stand for?
International Atomic Energy Agency
What is IAEA?
a central intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical co operation in the nuclear field
Why was IAEA created?
In response to fears about the misuse of nuclear technology (1957)
Promotes safe and peaceful use of nuclear technology
Ensuring compliance with NPT
Explain IAEA’s key verification responsibilities
Ensures states are using their nuclear weapons for peaceful purposes
What does CSA stand for?
Comprehensive Safeguard Agreement
What is the role of CSA?
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
What are some limitations of the CSA?
can only conduct inspections when invited by a state
states can hide activity from inspectors
Failed inspections don’t have a real consequence
What are the criticisms of the NPT?
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
Explain how the NPT unjustly favours the five original states
Seen as special states who are allowed to keep nukes if they commit to vague disarmament commitments
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
Who controlled Korea between 1945-47?
North = USSR
South = US
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)
What does DPRK stand for?
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
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
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
Impacts of Korea remaining divided after the war
1953 armistice = ceasefire not peace treaty
Demilitarized zone
Unable to visit or communicate with each other
Explain the siege mentality of DPRK
They consider themselves constantly under attack/feel threatened = want nuclear weapons as a security blanket
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
What is Juche?
self reliance ideology, ideological autonomy, economic self sufficiency, military independence
DPRK must rely solely on its own strength (1955)
What was the 1958 Songbun System?
Three classes of people based on political reliability