Special Report: North Korea, the Forever Crisis

Special Report: North Korea, the Forever Crisis

As the immediate sense of crisis fades on the Korean Peninsula, the longer-term cycle of provocation and response remains in place. North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile capabilities continue to grow, and South Korea is feeling the pressure to respond by building its own capabilities. Meanwhile, there are signs that China’s resolve to back the North may be wavering. And while the U.S. response to North Korea seems to have worked in the short run, Washington needs to stay prepared for all contingencies.

North Korea’s Threat

North Korea Gambles on Strategic Assumptions
By Nikolas Gvosdev
April 5, 2013

Even If It Fails, North Korean Satellite Launch Is a Threat
By Catherine Cheney
April 11, 2012

North Korea’s Collapsing Economy Opens Door for Criminal Gangs
By Iain Mills
April 7, 2011

South Korea’s Challenge

South Korea Must Widen BMD Cooperation to Counter North Korean Threats
By Richard Weitz
April 9, 2013

South Korea Does Not Need Nuclear Weapons
By Richard Weitz
February 26, 2013

South Korea’s Nuclear Future
By Richard Weitz
June 21, 2011

Global Insider: North Korea’s Armistice Nullification is More Bark Than Bite
Interview with Balbina Y. Hwang
March 20, 2013

Inter-Korean Relations Unlikely to Improve Soon Under South Korea’s Park
By Steven Borowiec
February 26, 2013

Amid Political Turmoil, South Korea Faces Kim Jong Il’s Death
By Steven Borowiec
December 23, 2011

Regional Actors

In North Korea’s Dangerous Game, It’s China’s Move
By Steven Metz
April 10, 2013

North Korea’s Defiance May Reshape China’s Strategic Calculus
By Richard Weitz
February 19, 2013

China Increases Economic Predominance in North Korea
By Catherine Cheney
August 16, 2012

Global Insider: North Korea the True Target for China-South Korea Pipeline Proposal
Interview with Se Hyun Ahn
April 23, 2012

Russia’s Korean Agenda
By Richard Weitz
September 20, 2011

The Iran Connection

Iran Crisis Increasingly Tied to North Korea
By Frida Ghitis
April 4, 2013

North Korea, Iran Highlight Proliferation Risks of Knowledge Transfers
By Javier Serrat
December 10, 2012

U.S. Policy

U.S. Pivot to Asia Passes First Test in Korea Crisis
By Anna Morris
April 22, 2013

Thinking the Unthinkable on a Second Korean War
By Steven Metz
March 13, 2013

Make North Korea Understand the Cost of Provocation
By Steven Metz
February 6, 2013

U.S.-North Korea Deal the Latest Round of ‘Food for Talks’
By Catherine Cheney
March 2, 2012

The Art of the Reasonable in North Korea
By Robert Farley
December 21, 2011

Contingency Planning for an Unpredictable North Korea
By Richard Weitz
December 20, 2011

Resuming U.S. Food Aid for North Korea is Best of Bad Options
By Richard Weitz
September 30, 2011

Global Insider: Proliferation Security Initiative
Interview with Mark J. Valencia
June 22, 2011