Wednesday, February 29, 2012

N. Korea to End Nuclear Tests for Food Aid

North Korea as agreed to temporarily stop “nuclear tests, long-range ballistic missile launches, and other nuclear activities, including enrichment of uranium”. This decision has come two months after the death of leader Kim Jong Il. Clinton commented on the matter and said “"On the occasion of Kim Jong Il's death, I said that it is our hope that the new leadership will choose to guide their nation on to the path to peace by living up to its obligations. Today's announcement represents a modest first step in the right direction". In addition to the stop of these activities, North Korea has agreed to let the United Nations into their plants along with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to look and inspect their nuclear plants to monitor their activity.

Why has North Korea decided this? Because in return for stopping this activity in North Korea, the United States is going to help with 240,000 pounds of food. Floods and poor crop production last year has put North Korea in a sticky situation and has sadly caused widespread hunger.

Personally, I think this is a very good idea. For North Korea to take this step is huge for them. I think American helping North Korea with their hunger problem will also help strengthen the bond between the two countries.

1 comment:

Sophia Wienbar said...

This seems to be a complete change in policy for the DPRK. However, this is definitely a change for the better. I think that Kim Jong Un is leading the country down a more open path and I really like the fact that he is trying to address the plight of his citizens. Usually, the policy for the DPRK is to assert its supremacy over all else; however, by addressing the needs of his people first, Kim Jong Un opens up path ways to a more stable relationship with the U.S. I'm sure there are many critics of the change within the DPRK, but world wide, this will be viewed favorably.