North Korea-United States of America Nuclear Relations: The Role of the United Nations

Abstract

Several attempts have been made by the United Nations to prevent the international community from the danger of North Korea nuclear weapons proliferation and tests. This paper examined the nuclear relations between North Korea and the United States of America and analysed the role of the United Nations as a mediator in this crisis. With the heightened tensions between the two countries, it has become necessary to understand the interplay between them and how the United Nations has been crucial in the resolution of the dispute. The paper adopted qualitative method of data collection. It employed historical research design and is built on Collective Security Theory. The paper found out that all efforts by the United States of America and the International community under the aegis of the United Nations to negotiate an end to North Korea’s nuclear and missile development technology have been replete with periods of crisis, stalemate and tentative progress towards denuclearisation, and North Korea has long been a key challenge for the global nuclear non-proliferation regime. It identified some potential avenues for mediation in order to secure peace and ensure safety and security of the region. It further recommended a total security synergy cum approach to be adopted by the United Nations Security Council as the last resort in maintaining international peace and security.