North Korea, U.S., and China: WMD Threats and Regional Security

It was recently announced that China has proposed “working-level” talks in preparation for the fourth round of six-party talks since August 2003. While the issue of a nuclear North Korea has been a flashpoint in US-China relations, most agree that, through the six-party talks, it has also lead to unprecedented levels of cooperation. This seminar will focus on the future of the North Korean nuclear crisis and its key role in US-China relations. How much pressure will the US put on China to manage North Korea, given the recent announcement that North Korea possesses nuclear weapons? What future stance might Beijing take in the event of a Security Council vote for sanctions on North Korea? The seminar will also touch on the potential use of the North Korean nuclear crisis as a model for cooperation in other areas of US-China relations, such as Taiwan.

Jing-dong Yuan, Associate Professor and Research Director, East Asia Nonproliferation Program, Center for Nonproliferation Studies, Monterey Institute of International Studies