Background Information for DPRK and US:
The most powerful and subversive WMD (weapon of mass destruction), nuclear weapon, has always been an international peace and security issue because of the possible disastrous outcomes it might have. Currently, a country’s claim, which said the country succeeded in its nuclear test, has caused an increased tension on this topic. The country is – Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
DPRK became a member of the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) on 12 December 1985. After DPRK’s join of NPT, the first inspection of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has launched on 12 May 1992. Soon after the inspection began, IAEA found that DPRK’s report on its platinum products and nuclear waste does not match with their actual status. In order to get further and more accurate information, IAEA requested another inspection on two more areas in DPRK that were not on the inspecting list, but DPRK rejected.
As DPRK refused the special inspection of IAEA, the issue fell into the hands of UN Security Council, which strongly urged DPRK to conform to NPT and to accept the special inspection of IAEA on 11 May 1993. Nevertheless, on the next day of Security Council’s urging, DPRK claimed that they are going to secede from NPT.
DPRK presented two reasons for the withdrawal from NPT. First reason was the large-scale three-dimensional nuclear war rehearsal military exercises of Team Spirit in Korean Peninsula. DPRK explained that the military exercises showed US’ preparedness to launch nuclear weapon to North Korean Peninsula and was threatening them extremely. The other reason for the withdrawal was IAEA’s request for the inspection on two more areas that were not on the list primarily. DPRK said IAEA’s demand is violation of their national sovereignty.
Fortunately, the worst situation didn’t actually take place because US succeeded in persuading DPRK on 11 June 1993,