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| <U.S. conclusion on
North Korea's missile capability> |
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Security Threat to Neighboring Nations - Nations
falling within range of North Korea’s missiles,
such as Northeast and Southeast Asian nations (especially
Japan), as well as China and Russia, perceive North
Korea’s missiles as a major threat. With the recent
confirmation of the existence of the ‘Taepodong’
missiles, a direct and more serious threat to the
U.S. has also emerged. |
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Arms Race in Northeast Asia ?Such security threats
could give rise to an arms race in Northeast Asia.
Already, Japan is actively adopting the TMD (Theatre
Missile Defense) system in cooperation with the
U.S. This could lead to increased military expenditures
by China, which might then prompt Russia and Taiwan
to take similar measures, eventually resulting in
an arms race domino effect. It is only natural that
North and South Korea would be caught up in such
an arms race as well. |
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Proliferation of WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction)
due to Exported North Korea Missiles ? For its prime
source of foreign currency, North Korea relies on
exporting missile bodies, parts, and related technologies
for a variety of missiles ranging from Scuds to
the ‘Rodong’ series. Buyer nations are usually located
in the Middle East and Africa. However, as is the
case in Northeast Asia, such nations that purchase
missiles from North Korea could very likely spark
a regional arms race with neighboring states. |
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North Korea and U.S. Objectives
in the Development and Deterrence of Missiles
Apparently, North Korea’s persistence in its development
of missiles stems from its hope to secure political
stability and economic interests. Amid international
concern, North Korea-U.S. talks on the missiles
have taken place intermittently up to the present
day. |
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| Perspective
and Objectives |
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| U.S. |
 Deter
North Korea from developing and testing missiles
Deter
North Korea from developing and deploying
IRBMs
Deter
North Korea’s missile exports
Bring
North Korea under the Missile Technology Control
Regime |
| North Korea |
A
sovereign nation has the right to develop
missiles
Halted
missile exports must be compensated for economically |
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