IR Debate No. 4: Negotiations With North Korea

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Imagine a bratty child screaming for sugary cereal in the grocery store. If you don't know this kid, you don't have much authority over him. You just roll your eyes, grab a loaf of bread, and hightail it to the produce section. But if this is your own rotten offspring, then you are authoritative, and it is your responsibility to make him get it together. You bend down, grab his hand, and instill respectful fear in him. You may wish for a moment you could just walk away, or that he would disappear with a cloudy puff, but he's a person. He's not going anywhere, and neither are you. 

North Korea is the child. He's potentially a danger to himself and others, he's constantly changing and growing, and he is his parent's problem. 

The United States is the parent. Having been placed in a position of authority, it is his responsibility to never give up on the child. "The United States is the most powerful country in the world today," (Fisher). Continuing negotiations is the best thing for America, North Korea, and the world, especially Japan and South Korea, who are in favor of America's involvement, as evidenced by the numerous cooperative trilateral meetings since the beginning of North Korea's shenanigans. "Japan and the Republic of Korea are both critical allies of the United States," (Biden). 

The worst thing to do in the North Korea nuclear weapons situation would be to aggravate North Korea with a military strike, insensitive speeches, or spy work. The second worst thing would be to give up. There is a chance that these talks will preserve global peace. But if the talks end for good, then we start rolling down the hill towards nuclear war. Worldwide peace is worth continuing the talks. 



Sources: 

North Korean Nuclear Negotiations Timeline, Council on Foreign Relations

The Six-Party Talks At A Glance, Kelsey Davenport, Arms Control Association

How America Became The Most Powerful Country On Earth, In 11 Maps, Max Fisher, vox.com

Remarks by President Biden, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan, and President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea Before Trilateral Meeting, whitehouse.gov

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