The denuclearization of North Korea: A critical analysis of the 1994 Agreed Framework

The denuclearization of North Korea, a formalized policy objective of the United States since the signing of the 1994 Agreed Framework, is Washington's singularly most important objective regarding Pyongyang. The Agreed Framework is all accord that provides North Korea two light-water reactors in exchange for the elimination of its capabilities to produce nuclear weapons. However, many debates have arisen over the soundness of this policy option. The purpose of this paper is to assess the viability of the Agreed Framework as a policy option for achieving the permanent or longterm denuclearization of North Korea. The evidence presented in this paper suggests that the Agreed Framework is all unacceptable denuclearization. policy option for three reasons: (1) political and economic engagement is currently undesirable; (2) Light-Water Reactors (LWRs) produce fissile material that call be used to create nuclear weapons; and (3) LWRs cannot safely operate on North Korea's decrepit power grid.