Committee:
Committee: Security Council 2
Topic: North Korean Nuclear Program
Position Papers are due January 9th to qualify for a research award
All Position Papers due by January 13th at 11:59pm
Position Papers are due to the committee email
Bring some spare change to donate to 20 Wells!
Introduction
Hi everyone, my name is Deion and I am a sophomore and Mission Viejo High School. This is my
second year in MUN and I am very excited to be your chair for the Mission conference. I hope you guys
enjoy this committee!
I.
Background of Topic
When one brings up the subject of worldwide nuclear proliferation, others cannot help but think of
North Korea’s nuclear program. This country, without doubt, is widely-known for its reputation of
producing weapons of mass destruction and conducting various nuclear projects. North Korean
officials first claimed they had a nuclear weapons program in 2002; however, the first ambitions of
becoming a nuclear power started in 1956 by the name of Kim Il Sung (aka the founder of the DPRK).
Six years later, with the help of Soviet and Chinese allies, North Korea had their first nuclear facility.
By the 1980s, the country began to create weapons with their nuclear technology. From that point
on, North Korea has tested a multitude of its nuclear weapons, resulting in a multitude of sanctions
ordered by the UN. It is unclear what North Korea is trying to achieve through their nuclear
programs, but there are possible reasons; for instance, it could be a way to get assistance from
other countries in exchange for them to reduce their nuclear programs, or it could simply be for
national pride. Regardless of their reasons for their nuclear programs, North Korea is a threat to
nearby countries, especially South Korea. The Ministry of Defense in Japan assessed that North
Korea, like Vietnam in the past, will use their nuclear ability in an attempt to reunify with South
Korea. It is of great importance to solve this issue as soon as possible.
II.
United Nations Involvement
The UN Security Council strongly condemns North Korea’s nuclear programs. Their relationship with
the nuclear issue began with the signing of the nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) on December
12, 1985 by Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. The treaty basically said that North Korea would
become a non-nuclear weapon state in exchange for Soviet assistance in constructing four light
water reactors. Following this event, South Korea and North Korea both sign a treaty called the
South-North Joint Declaration on the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Under the
declaration, both countries could not "test, manufacture, produce, receive, possess, store, deploy,
or use nuclear weapons." Also, they both agreed to not "possess nuclear reprocessing and uranium
enrichment facilities." On February 9, 1993, The IAEA obtained strong evidence that North Korea
had been cheating its commitments under the NPT. The IAEA demanded inspection on two
locations that possibly were nuclear waste storage. In response to this, North Korea refused the
IAEA's request. After their request was denied, the IAEA went to the Security Council to authorize
special inspections. In response to this, North Korea announced its intention to withdraw from the
NPT on March 12, 1993. But after negotiations with the U.S., North Korea decided to suspend their
withdrawal from the NPT, resulting in a refusal to allow inspections of past nuclear activities. From
that point on, North Korea has attempted several times to continue their Uranium-enrichment
program, nuclear testing, and other nuclear activities, sometimes without the UN knowing. If
inspections come about, North Korea will sometimes allow IAEA inspectors into their country, while
other times, they refuse it. The UN, in response to North Korea’s actions, ordered sanctions upon
the country more than once. It is a disaster that North Korea refuses to recognize as a worldwide
potential threat.
III.
Bloc Positions
African bloc-Against nuclear proliferation in North Korea.
Asian bloc-It is unclear if the majority is for or against nuclear proliferation in North Korea; however,
China and Russia supports North Korea.
Latin bloc-Against nuclear proliferation in North Korea.
European bloc-Against nuclear proliferation in North Korea.
Middle Eastern bloc-They are considered as part of the NPT, but it is unclear whether or not this
bloc is for nuclear proliferation in North Korea.
IV.
Possible Solutions
As can be seen, sanctions have been used many times against North Korea because of their nuclear
proliferation and testing. However, the fact that it is used more than once for the same issue tells
about its possible inefficiency. Possible solutions could include negotiations, other forms of sensible
consequences, and rewards based on North Korea’s cooperation with the U.N.
V.
Guiding Questions
What are your country’s policies towards nuclear proliferation?
What is your country’s relationship with North Korea?
Has your country proposed any solutions toward the issue?
Do your country’s solutions focus on short-term goals, long-term goals, or both?
What will be the possible outcomes for each solution?