The influence of the United Nations...

Sanction's, Which Do Not Work.

Regardless of the tough stance the international community has taken towards North Korea the message to tone down "threats" in the region seems to fall on deaf ears. Lately, there has been a push towards the continuous actions on imposing further military sanction's on North Korea, from the United Nation's, led by the United States. Has it worked? In February Korea confirmed the launch of it's third missile test, creating escalating tension in the region. It just goes to show that even though you deal with the situation heavily you risk pushing the North Korea into a corner. During the past month's international media have focused intently on the tension's in the region, by shining a spot light on North Korea, it created more pressure on the dictator to react brashly.

The answer from the West has been passive with it's call to further sanction's.So just what implication's have arisen due to these sanction's imposed on North Korea.

• The move to deploy nuclear-capable bombers and fighter aircraft to South Korea have added to tensions, as a retaliation of the missile testing conducted by DPRK, this in turn has been a result of the UN sanction's. A call to respond by sending out military drills around the region isn't a solution towards easing tension in the Korean peninsula.

• Action's imposed from the United Nation's have created a halt to negotiation . As a result of further expanding UN Sanction's, from the international community,  banning Pyongyang from further military test's.

In the past the push for sanction's on North Korea has led to further military rhetoric."North Korea has acquired what it needed for weapons, and every North Korean nuclear test has been in part a response to U.S.-led sanction efforts at the United Nations (Charbonneau, 2013)." You could say that these actions have failed to work so far. 

Maybe there should be an emphasis towards negotiation. I think that in order for there to be negotiation, leaders from both parties should meet on peace talks, the United States in particular. These factors come into play when discussing the likely hood of escalating tensions and a solution for peace talks.

Humanitarian Aid for North Korea

So just who will be effected by these sanction's? Many have seen the ramification's that have trickled down to the most vulnerable in this conflict, those are, the citizen's of North Korea. Those of us who are familiar with the Korean famine in the 90's  will know that this issue still exist's to this day. So, how will aid, assistance and support to North Korea be effected by the sanction's imposed?

Humanitarian aid to North Korea has been a vital source of aid to it's poorest citizen's. One aspect, that media seem to cover, which continues to cloud the topic on food aid, are the tension's between Democratic People's Republic of Korea, neighboring countries and the United State's . Due to North Korea's missile program imposing sanction's on the DPRK has further isolated to the country and effected humanitarian aid.

In the past month's international sanction's on DPRK have hit humanitary funding according to five United Nation's agencies. This indicates that a stem to food aid funding to North Korea could threaten the humanitarian operations in the country. Last year the UN reported that nearly a third of all children in North Korea are showing signs of dwarfism due to malnutrition and that only 40 percent of the $198 million they require for their humanitarian activities had been donated. The UN also estimates that about one-third of North Korean children under five are chronically malnourished.

Impact on Korean Peninsula

On the record, the Korean Peninsula remains technically at war because the conflict stopped without a peace treaty, the armistice still remains valid despite the recent "withdrawal" of North Korea.

The economic impact, recently the closure of the South Korean border into the North was closed. So what this mean? Economically, this deal is detrimental to North Korea, given that it relies on the $80 million in wages for North Korean workers.  So we know that this could be temporary, however, this has created more problems and has further tethered relations between North-South Korea. This reaction comes after the United Nations imposed tighter restriction on Pyongyang's financial dealings, and including names into UN sanctions blacklist.

Evidence outlining previous implications from research, show a pattern of behavior from North Korea and it's counterpart's, whether it's military or economical. If there is a reaction from one country it is usually met with a harsher response  which does nothing to ease tensions. Perhaps there needs to be more emphasis in engaging North Korea into peace talks, rather then acting on rhetorical's  Which leads to a solution suggested by some through China, as a mediator in negotiations, given their influence on DPRK.

Conclusion

In conclusion to my argument, sanction's imposed by the United Nation's on North Korea, do more harm to creating a solution towards easing escalating tensions. A large amount of evidence garnered in support of my social issue, suggest that the tactical stance of the United Nation's does nothing but fuel the provocative threats from North Korea. It isolates the country and draws attention away from pressing issues such as humanitarian aid. There needs to be less heavy handling on North Korea, through military sanction's, and a push towards engaging in peace talks from the international community.

Links & Summaries

Initial Research on the Social Issue of Tougher Military Sanctions Imposed on North Korea

This blog will analyse evidence to suggest the implications of tougher military sanction's forcibly put in place on North Korea, which brings forward the social issue I would like to examine... 

Should the United Nation's Impose tougher military sanctions towards North Korea's Nuclear and Missile program's

Evidence suggest's various implication's towards support to push towards a a tougher stance on North Korea.

Here are the Links for this surrounding Social Issue -          

            

UN Sanction's and North Korea
Supporting Tougher Military Sanction's
Website: Council on Foreign Regulation's
Summary: This covers the measures that have been taken against North Korea, and the continuing question that pops up frequently, will China be prepared to implement these measures. The reaction from North Korea stems from the military activities that the US have been composing around the DPRK. Perhaps this rhetoric is a sign of paranoia. The US supports the idea of being more 'tactical' should North Korea continue with threats.

North Korea says it will boost nuclear deterrent after UN rebuke
Opposing Tougher Military Sanctions
Website: Global Policy
Summary: This mentions the military program of North Korea and the nuclear testing it has conducted. Secretary Susan Rice talks about the new UN sanctions imposed because of the nuclear testing. It discusses the resolutions from the six parties' talks. It refers to China's stance against North Korea's misile program. So it's evidence which supports the sanctions and the ramifications that DPRK, face if they were to lose.

All Cranked Up
Supporting Tougher Military Sanction's
Website: The Economist
Summary: So this news article covers the threats that have been issued by North Korea. It outlines their nuclear program and the missiles that are used by DPRK military. It supports my theory on sanctions, the article mentions tighter sanctions from the UN. This also mentions the response by US military from John Kerry and their actions against DPRK. It mentions the response of South Korea, should the tensions escalate. 

Sanction's Don't Work on North Korea: Opposing View
Opposing Tougher Military Sanction's
Website: USA Today
Summary: This is an opposing view as to why the sanctions on North Korea will not work. It discusses the responses that the DPRK military have been retaliating with since the US have conducted military missile test's in the Korean peninsula. It stresses the importance of negotiations with North Korea and it states the reasons why North Korea might be responding in such a manner.

Korea crisis high on agenda at London G8 talks.
Supporting Tougher Military Sanctions
Website: BBC
Summary: This video link discusses the stance that the G8 have on the issue. It explains that further sanctions would be imposed by UN members towards the DPRK. It also covers the response from North Korea since the UN imposed new sanctions. The approach that North Korea has taken towards US and South Korea have come under fire from the UN security council.

Opinion: Kim Jong Un is not crazy
Opposing Tougher Military Sanction's
Website: CNN
Summary: Tension in the Korean peninsula. This refers to the UN sanctions imposed on North Korea since the satellite launch in December. A video refers to Kim Jong Un as an 'immature brat'. There is also a link which goes on to explain the military advantages that North Korea has in East Asia. Japans involvement is mentioned and the precautionary measures they are taking to protect themselves and South Korea.

Coping With North Korea: Korean Roulette
Supporting Tougher Military Sanction's
Website: The Economist
Summary: This article focuses on the ramifications should US and South Korea not take DPKR seriously. It mentions the vast amount of people who could potentially be killed, due to a break down in talks between the conflicting countries. It discusses a push for change from within the country if DPRK were to change politically. It mentions the support from China and the sanctions imposed on aid for humanitarian reasons.


UN Sanctions May Play into North Korea Propaganda
Opposing Tougher Military Sanction's
Website: New Zealand Herald
Summary: This suggest's that the sanction's which have been imposed thus far on North Korea have done nothing to deter their demise towards a nuclear strong military. It high lights the sanctions imposed from the US and the lack of military action that North Korea has shown against the US. However it does stress the consequences which these sanctions have had economically and towards the food aid program that feed impoverished citizens. These sanctions have so far, according to analyst's, imposed threats towards the dictatorship; it also creates a cause to move towards a peace plan. China is addressed in this article, like so many other links I've posted, it refers to the role China has in mediating the situation and conflict in the Korean Peninsula.

The Next Korean War
Supporting Tougher Military Sanction's
Website: Foreign Affairs
Fallacies imposed in this article suggests the fear of war might be upon us. A consequence should the tension in Korea Peninsula escalate  This is a theory on what would happen should there be an out break on war between South Korea and US against the DPRK. The amount of casualties and the military numbers are estimated here. It compares a potential fall of the DPRK to that of Iraq and Libya, under Saddam Hussein and Muammar al-Qadaffi. 

Pyongyang's Nuclear Logic
Opposing & Supporting Tougher Military Sanction's
Website: Foreign Affairs
This article makes an assumption on whether nuclear test conducted by North Korea are just tests. It states whether or not these tests are used on as a morale booster for the DPRK civilians and not for military conflict. It then goes on to describe the nuclear tests that other nations have conducted in the past, such as US and Russia. It debates on the reasons behind North Korea's nuclear testing. It describes the attitude on missile testing but doesn't mention any sanctions imposed towards North Korea.

North Korea keeps it's pledge to conduct nuclear test
Supporting Tougher Military Sanction's
Website: Stanford Center for Security and International Cooperation
Summary: This is a discussion between two Stanford experts who weigh in on North Korea, they place there perspective on why North Korea is testing their missiles now, what message they are trying to send and the concerns that arise should the continue down this path. There are two theories as to why they have conducted the tests; as a threat towards the South and a celebration of Kim Jong Il's birthday. The message being sent is; due to past experiences with the North we should take them seriously. It stresses the importance of China and the role it has as a mediator.

North Korea and US must break the cycle of sanction's and bluster
Opposing Tougher Military Sanctions
Website: Guardian UK
Summary: The importance of China and US play a vital role in breaking down the UN sanctions that have been imposed. Although China has signed the UN sanctions it hasn't been tough on North Korea. The move to deploy nuclear-capable bombers and fighter aircraft to South Korea have added to tensions, since the sanctions on North Korea. The retaliation of this is the missile testing on behalf of the DPRK.

North Korea Hint's It Will Soon Launch a Missile
Supporting Tougher Military Sanction's
Website: TIME World
Summary: Rhetoric from North Korea and the aggressive threats they have been making since the Newly imposed sanctions. A statement from the Eight Nation's opposes the 'aggressive rhetoric' which supports the fact that this behavior would only further isolate North Korea. A response to these threats have been an increase in military training between the US and South Korea in the Korean peninsula. North Korea's actions seem provocative but should this behavior be taken seriously given that they have retaliated in the past by conducting missile launches and a satellite launch - that is the cause of these new sanctions.

Why North Korea Get's Away With It.
Supporting Tougher Military Sanction's
Website: Foreign Affairs
Summary:This is an interesting read which suggests why the approach or sanctions imposed on North Korea should be met with some binding rules. These rules however struggle to get the support it needs from China a key player in negotiating with North Korea. There are statement from the US which call on China to stop turning a blind eye on North Korea. Maybe then the UN wouldn't need to implement more sanctions.

North Korea Country Profile: Overview
Opposing & Supporting Tougher Military Sanction's
Website: BBC
Summary: Very good brief and in depth coverage on the history of North Korea. It may have some evidence that support the behavior in which the leader of the nation, Kim Jong Un, may result in. There is some detail on the tensions in the Korean peninsula and the history behind it.

These links are posted on Del.icio.us as well..

Reference List to Links

References

All cranked up, and nowhere to go. (2013). Economist. Retreived April 13, 2013, from http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21576152-and-nowhere-go-all-cranked-up

Charbonneau, L. (January 22, 2013). North Korea says it will boost nuclear deterrent after UN rebuke. Global Policy. Retreived from http://www.globalpolicy.org/component/content/article/253-nuclear-arms/52193-north-korea-says-will-boost-nuclear-deterrent-after-un-rebuke.html

Chinoy, M. (2013, April 9). Sanctions don’t work on North Korea. USA Today. Retreived from http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2013/04/09/north-korea-kim-jong-un-negotiations-editorials-debates/2069369/

Coping with North Korea: Korean Roulette. (2013). Economist. Retreived April 6, 2013, from http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21575774-kim-jong-un-has-raised-stakes-it-time-get-tougher-nastiest-regime

Darryl, G and Kier, E. (April 1, 2013) The Next Korean War. Foreign Affairs. Retreived from http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/139091/keir-a-lieber-and-daryl-g-press/the-next-korean-war

Darryl, G. and Lind, J. (Febuary 13, 2013). Pyongyang’s Nuclear logic. Foreign Affairs. Retreived from http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/138933/jennifer-lind-keir-a-lieber-and-daryl-g-press/pyongyangs-nuclear-logic

Duff-Brown, B. (February 12, 2013). North Korea keeps its pledge to conduct nuclear test. Coucil on Foreign Regulations. Retreived from http://cisac.stanford.edu/news/north_korea_keeps_its_pledge_to_conduct_nuclear_test_20130212/

G8 ministers condemn North Korea nuclear moves. (2013). BBC. Rereived April 11, 2013, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-22103753

Haggard, S. (April 2, 2013). Kim Jong Un is not crazy. CNN. Retrived from http://edition.cnn.com/2013/04/01/opinion/haggard-north-korea/index.html?iref=allsearch

Hoare, J. (2013, April 3). North Korea and US must break the cycle of sanctions and bluster. The Guardian. Retreived from http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/apr/03/north-korea-us-sanctions-nuclear-defiance

Lee, J. H. (April 11, 2013). North Korea delivers new round of war rhetoric. TIME World. Retreived from http://world.time.com/2013/04/11/no-panic-in-north-korea-despite-talk-of-missile-test/

Lind, J. (April 12, 2012). Why North Korea get away with it. Foreign Affairs. Retreived from http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/137399/jennifer-lind/why-north-korea-gets-away-with-it

MacFarquhar, N. (March 28, 2013). UN Treaty to control arms sales hits snag. New York Times. Retreived from http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/29/world/iran-and-north-korea-block-arms-trade-treaty.html?_r=0

North Korea Profile. (2013). Retreived April 9, 2013, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-15256929

Scott, A. S. (March 8, 2013). UN Sanctions and North Korea. Council on Foreign Relations. Retreived from http://blogs.cfr.org/asia/2013/03/08/un-sanctions-and-north-korea/

Scott, A.S. (n.d). US Policy Toward the Korean Peninsula. Council on Foreign Relations. Retreived from http://www.cfr.org/north-korea/us-policy-toward-korean-peninsula/p22205

Talmage, E. (January 25, 2013). North Korea Threats: Rhetoric or Reality? Global Policy. Retreived from http://www.globalpolicy.org/component/content/article/190-issues/52203-north-korea-threats-rhetoric-or-reality-.html

UN Sanctions may play into North Korea propaganda. (2013). New Zealand Herald.Retreived March 9, 2013, from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10870170