Last year the situation on the Korean peninsula remained in deadlock with missile launch, wars of words, threats, and sanctions.

Sanctions proved to be ineffective

For years, threats and sanctions have proved to be ineffective in settling the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula. Increasing pressure failed to make North Korea change its stance but caused stronger reactions.

Since 2006, the UN Security Council has convened 9 meetings to impose sanctions on North Korea for its nuclear and missile tests. The sanctions issued in September were the strongest ever, seriously affecting exports of garments, oil, liquefied gas, and overseas workers. Defiant North Korea launched a Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile, its longest range ICBM yet, said to be capable of hitting any part of the US.  

In 2017 North Korea launched 15 missiles, of which three were ICBMs. The North repeatedly boosted of its nuclear achievements saying it can now miniaturize nuclear war heads and has accomplished its mission of consolidating its nuclear power.

US losing patience, diplomatic set-back

The US tried but failed to restrain North Korea’s nuclear weapon programs through UN-backed sanctions.

In late November, the US returned North Korea to the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism 11 years after former US President George W Bush removed it from the list. Since the six-party talks on the Korean peninsula faltered in 2009, the US has repeatedly threatened to include North Korea back to the list. Since President Donald Trump took office, the White House has mentioned this several times to increase pressure on the North. Under US law, listed countries are subject to strong sanctions on US foreign aid, trade, and financial transactions.

But blacklisting North Korea is a step back in denuclearizing the Korean peninsula, closing the doors to dialogue that other countries have been trying to open.  President Trump’s decision is likely to make the situation on the Peninsula mor volatile rather than less.