More than meets the eye: What the North Korean nuclear crisis portends for East Asian security

The North Korean nuclear program is riding on its organizational and political momentum. Unless it is resolved within a reasonably short period of time, the momentum will push the program past the threshold; i.e., to the testing of nuclear bombs. To minimize such dangers, participants in the six-party talks should bear in mind the following. First, the international coalition led by the United States should offer a package to North Korea that integrates both credible and realistic promises of reward that North Korea would get if they comply and credible threats of punishment, including the international sanctions they would face if they cross the redline. Second, the credibility of the position will be maintained and enhanced if the participants form a common front to play diplomatic games vis-a-vis North Korea. Third, given the diverse and often conflicting interests among regional powers, it would not be easy to form such a common front. Yet collaboration to form a common front is possible and likely if regional powers somehow develop the norms and the institutions of multilateralism. Fourth, to foster the norms of multilateralism, the regional powers need to approach the North Korean issue from a broader perspective of regional and international security order.