23 MUNISC 2010

Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Nuclear

Disarmament
Kee Wook Lee

Introduction
Nuclear weapons, also refer to as weapons of
mass destruction (WMD), are the most intimidating
weapons throughout the history of humankind. Nuclear
weapons not only cause tension among nations, but also
bring up the issue of ―global debacle‖. Thus, it is entire
world‘s responsibility, through multilateral cooperation
among nations and the United Nations, to stop nuclear
proliferation and promote nuclear disarmament. Even
though the issue of nuclear weaponry was raised
frequently via media, major powers, such as the United
States and Russia, hesitate to be involved in solving this
issue because they want to keep an arsenal of nuclear
weapons. Currently, South East Asia and the Middle
East are serious concerns regarding this issue (many
countries such as Iran and India already possess and seek to gain nuclear capabilities). The world today is not a
place of rest due to economic and political downturns, combined with nuclear threats. Global economic crisis may
be the cause of warfare. If unfortunate, this overall downturn could result in countries launching nuclear weapons.
The more countries produce nuclear weapons, the closer countries step toward the end of the world. North
Korea is a perfect example to explain this circumstance. Testing nuclear missiles by firing off its coast, North
Korea has threatened the international community. Thus, it is duty of the future generations to eliminate nuclear
weapons for they will bring cataclysmic results. However, many countries still possess nuclear weapons claiming
their protection from terrorist forces.
The ability to destruct entire region (if not fully) or the world by just pressing a button is far beyond
what human could possess. As the cases of Hiroshima and Nagasaki tell us, any nuclear related weapons are
frustrating and it is unpredictable how long destroyed region takes to recover. Therefore, there is no question for
the global community to support nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament.

Background Information
Initial nuclear weapon project included five nuclear states, which joined commonly known as ―nuclear
club‖. The first collaborative project was called the Manhattan project, developed by the United States, the Great
Britain, and Canada during the Second World War. This is how the United States could throw an atomic bomb on
Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. On August 6, 1945, the first atomic bomb called, ―Little Boy‖ was dropped in
Hiroshima causing about 66,000 instant deaths and about 69,000 injuries. ―Fat Man‖, second atomic bomb,
dropped in Nagasaki, killed more than 80,000 people. These two events were the only times when nuclear
weapons were used during war. Almost a decade later, the United Kingdom announced that it had an atomic
bomb. At nearly the end of the WWII, the United States and the United Kingdom was afraid of new rising power
of Soviet Union as Soviet Union was also starting to develop nuclear weapons shortly afterward. With ongoing
tension between the U.S and the U.S.S.R, the Cold War broke out. Both nations manufactured nuclear weapons
and tested them to threat the opposing party.
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After the Cold War, many countries became more aware of nuclear weapons and had desire to acquire
nuclear weapons. France was involved in researching nuclear weaponry before the outburst of WWII. However,
France had to discontinue nuclear research due to political instability and lack of finance. China, unlike France,
founded a nuclear research program with the assistance of the U.S.S.R and is known to have many nuclear
weapons currently. Today, North Korea has been the ninth nuclear arms state with its nuclear launching test in
mid-2009 with Israel, Iran, and Pakistan. Also, there are other countries seeking nuclear status such as Japan,
South Korea, and Iran.
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Recently, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has implemented measures to monitor use of
nuclear materials to detect any nuclear weapon development. However, Iran and North Korea still maintain full
confidentiality over their nuclear programs and their intentions. These nations violated IAEA safeguards. Even
though the international community forced sanctions and embargoes on Iran, Iran has only improved its nuclear
capabilities. Likewise, North Korea has shown remarkable development in its nuclear capabilities. On May, 2009,
North Korea tested nuclear missile regardless of sanctions, embargoes, and pressure from international
community. The impact of previous nuclear missile test and its threat was so huge that people spread the rumor
which said North Korea would launch nuclear missile toward Hawaii on the Independency Day (July 4th, 2009).

International Actions
Ironically, the U.S and U.S.S.R took initiatives to stop nuclear proliferation and enforce nuclear
disarmament after the Cold War. The primary reason behind this is that they were anxious about future tension
regarding nuclear arms as they had experienced tremendous threat of nuclear weapons of each other. The earliest
action on nuclear non-proliferation was Partial Test Ban Treaty in 1963, in which both nations agreed to test
nuclear arms underground only. The purpose of this treaty was to avoid any intimidating nuclear weapon test as a
stratagem to threat other nations. Another treaty signed by U.S and U.S.S.R is called the Strategic Arms Reduction
Treaty (START) in 1991. START officially codified the end of nuclear competition, which began since the Cold
War. START allowed two nations to verify official data, exchange information, and notify any nuclear programs.
Perhaps, the START might be the most
effective measure to reduce the number of
nuclear warhead. The most recent and the
most widely accepted nuclear non-
proliferation agreement is the Non-
Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty (NPT)
on 1 July, 1968. Initially, this treaty was
targeted to five major nuclear states, or P5
nations of the Security Council. Under the
treaty, they were not allowed to transfer any
nuclear technology or weapon. Not only P5
nations are obliged not to share nuclear
technology or transfer nuclear weapon, but
also they were obligated to cease possible nuclear state from proliferating under the Article VI of the NPT. The
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is a main organization which helps ―international control and
safeguard system‖ and monitors each nation‘s use of nuclear materials. IAEA‘s control of nuclear materials
enables sharing of peaceful nuclear technology for all states. In 1995, the treaty was extended for an unlimited
time period. Another main accomplishment in 1995 upon NPT was passing a resolution that sanctioned the
establishment of Mideast Nuclear Weapon Free Zone (MENWFZ). In addition to MENWFZ, the Comprehensive
Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) was formed and signed in 1996 with the purpose of forbidding all nuclear weapon tests.
It was upgraded version of the Partial Test Ban Treaty in 1963. Article XIV of the CTBT states that 44 states
listed should ratify before the CTBT can operate. However, India, North Korea, and Pakistan have not signed the
CTBT. Moreover, China, Indonesia, Israel, the United States, and Iran Egypt have signed the treaty but have not
ratified the treaty.
After the Cold War, many people thought the threat of nuclear weapons would end. Nevertheless, there
are still many nuclear weapons being developed and non-nuclear states are seeking to make one. The issue of
nuclear proliferation had become macro-scale, which includes many nations such as Iran and North Korea. As a
result, new treaties were created and existing ones were extended comprehensively.
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UN Involvement
In the beginning, the United Nations started working on disarmament through the General Assembly.
The GA adopted quite a few resolutions that set the principles of disarmament. Even today, in the Committee on
Disarmament in Geneva of the GA, diplomatic negotiations continue. The first effort made by the UN Security
Council dates back to Jun 1968 when the UNSC passed Resolution 255, which in a way soothed non-nuclear states.
While negotiating for the NPT, non-nuclear states requested security assurances so that whenever they are
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threatened by nuclear weapons, the UNSC could take actions. Non-nuclear states did not just want text warranty,
but a resolution of the Security Council. However, Resolution 255 did not fully provide security assurances
because only three of all nuclear states proposed it. 27 years later, the UNSC adopted Resolution 984. However,
some critics argue that Resolution 984 still did not include protection of victims against nuclear threat. They say
that this resolution reflects the UNSC‘s unwillingness to be involved in nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament.
Former representative of Egypt Dr. Nabil Elaraby stated, ―As a member of the security council, I can tell you that
we get reports from the Secretariat on practically everything under the sun,‖ in 1996. Years later, the UNSC has
started to affirm its responsibility to implement actions against nuclear proliferation. 24 September 2009 was the
fifth time in the history of the United Nations to hold Security Council Summit on Nuclear Non-proliferation
and Nuclear Disarmament. During the summit, the president Barrack Obama of the United States chaired the
meeting for the first time. Obama said, ―In the six-plus decades that this Security Council has been in existence,
only four other meetings of this nature have been convened. I called for this one so that we may address at the
highest level a fundamental threat to the security of all peoples and all nations: the spread and use of nuclear
weapons.‖ The president Obama presented a draft resolution, which later was unanimously passed and named
UNSC Resolution 1887. This resolution expresses serious concern about the need for international cooperation to
eliminate nuclear weapons and their threats.

Nuclear Problem of Iran and North Korea

Iran
The first use of nuclear materials in Iran goes back
to 1950s with the United States‘ assistance as a part of the
Atoms for Peace Program. At that time period, the King Shah
was ruling Iran who was an ally with the U.S. The U.S did not
mention anything negative about Iranian nuclear programs.
However, after Islamic Revolution in 1979 when the King
Shah was overthrown, the U.S started to criticize the bad
intention of Iranian nuclear programs. As a result, Iranian
nuclear programs ceased. Nevertheless, Iranian nuclear
programs were enacted soon, but in a very slow rate, without
the help of the U.S. Since then, Iran has developed nuclear
programs even though the international community imposed
sanctions and embargoes on Iran. Although Iran had
developed nuclear programs gradually, its capability to build
nuclear weapons is far beyond than what the international
community had expected. While Iran claims that their nuclear
programs are intended to be used for peaceful nuclear uses
such as nuclear energy, the West casts doubt on Iranian government‘s assertion that Iran‘s intention is to make
nuclear weapons. Because of country‘s sovereignty, the United Nations could not force Iran to stop developing
nuclear programs as Iran states its nuclear programs are not for military use. Recently, Iran has build up nuclear
power plants such as Bushehr I. However, Iran was criticized for its failure to report accurately on its use of
nuclear materials to the IAEA. The IAEA officially investigated Iranian nuclear programs and affirmed that Iran
had ―failed to meet its obligations under NPT safeguards agreement to report the process of nuclear enrichments
to the IAEA.‖ Because the technology used to enrich uranium for nuclear power plants may be enriched further
to produce nuclear weapons, the UNSC imposed sanctions on Iran. On 18 September 2009, the President
Ahmadinejad of Iran told NBC News: ―We don‘t need nuclear weapons…it‘s not a part of our programs and
plans.‖ He also added that rather nuclear States should give up their nuclear arsenals. Some people respond by
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questioning why would Iran resist to give out information of nuclear programs if its purpose is peaceful.

North Korea
North Korea has always been attempted to develop nuclear weapons confidentially even today. In
response, the United States in alliance with South Korea and Japan, tried to push North Korea to give up its
nuclear weapon programs. However, the U.S could not withstand obstinate North Korean government, or
General Kim Jong-Il. In the past, North Korea had withdrawn from NPT when the IAEA imposed nuclear
inspection in 1993. After the U.S had successfully negotiated with North Korea to sign Agreed Frame of 1994,
the DPRK remained in NPT again. Soon, Korean Peninsula Energy Development (KPED) was established. The
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purpose was for the U.S to monitor the use of nuclear

materials and prevent the DPRK from developing nuclear
weapons secretly. Unfortunately, not long after the Agreed
Framework of 1994 was established, agreement broke
because of distrust and infringements of the treaty by the U.S
and the DPRK As a result, one of the contracts which was
building of Light Water Nuclear Reactor by the U.S did not
take place until 2002, the year the U.S was supposed to build it.
Thus, the DPRK began to use old nuclear reactors in
Yongbyon. There have been many attempts to pressurize the
DPRK to give up its nuclear programs by Six-Party Talks,
which have been total of six talks since 2000. In 2003, North
Korea again withdrew from NPT. Some people argue that it is
because of former President Bush‘s acrimonious speech
against North Korea‘s non-diplomatic approach. The problem of North Korea nuclear program reached its zenith
when in 2006, North Korea tested nuclear bombs underground. In response, the United Nations Security Council
imposed sanctions on DPRK which embargoed exports of goods. With international effort to stop the DPRK‘s
nuclear programs, North Korea decided to return to Agreed Framework of 1994 and shut Yongbyon nuclear facility.
The IAEA confirmed North Korea‘s promise on July 14, 2007. However, even though North Korea seemed to
make diplomatic decisions, North Korea rejected to join Six-Party Talks in 2008. Since then North Korea had
developed missiles and tested them. North Korea has been refusing to foreign intervention on nuclear programs.

P5 Nations and their views on nuclear non-proliferation

China
China believes that nuclear non-proliferation should be promoted and threat of nuclear weapons should
be eliminated. China has long been supportive of nuclear non-proliferation. The President of China Hu Jintao, in
his speech during Council Summit on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament in 2009, said, ―Proliferation
should be stopped and the nuclear-weapon States with the largest arsenals should reduce those arsenals, after
which the countries with smaller arsenals should also begin to reduce their stocks.‖ Regarding nuclear arsenals of
China, he mentioned that China possesses nuclear weapons only for defensive purpose, implying that China has
not used its nuclear weapons for destructive purpose like the United States did decades ago.

United Kingdom
United Kingdom believes that Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty should be strengthened in order to
avoid the danger of nuclear weapons. The UK expressed gratitude for efforts to stop proliferating nuclear
weapons which may fall into the hands of the terrorist groups. The UK is one of the countries which have taken
active role in nuclear non-proliferation and reducing arsenals. Sustaining the minimum possible essential to
national security, the UK reduced its ―nuclear-strike capability by 75 percent‖ In addition, the Prime Minister
Gordon Brown, regarding problems of Iran and North Korea, said, ―The world could not stand by when Iran and
the Democratic People‘s Republic of Korea breached international agreements. Far tougher sanctions must be
considered, and the onus of proof must be on those who breached the relevant agreements.

France
France condemns violations of the UN Security Council resolutions by Iran and DPRK. France firmly
believes that any violations against the international community should not be accepted. France is also supportive
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of stronger sanctions like does the United Kingdom. The President Nicolas Sarkozy said, ―Let us not accept
violations of international rules. We may all be threatened one day by a neighbor endowing itself with nuclear
weapons.‖

Russian Federation
Russian Federation had reduced nuclear arsenals since the START. Russian Federation speaks in favor of
peaceful nuclear power programs that will resolve numerous problems in developing countries and contribute to
the economic growth. However, Russian Federation is adamant in its belief that nuclear power programs must be
monitored and abide stringently by non-proliferation treaty. Russian Federation is also in favor of ratifying treaties
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and resolutions made previously as they are constructive agreements by all parties.

United States of America

As the United States was chairing and presenting resolution in the most recent Council Summit on
Nuclear Non-proliferation 2009, the U.S is the most active nation throughout the world which enforces nuclear
non-proliferation. Many critics claim that it is contradictory that the nation with the most nuclear warheads fully
supports nuclear non-proliferation. They affirm that it is selfish desire of the U.S to gain military dominance over
the weaker nations.

Controversy
All of P5 nations of the UN Security Council are supportive of nuclear non-proliferation and
disarmament. However, many nations criticize those major nuclear States since they have the most nuclear
weapons that are capable of completely destroying the Earth many times. Many nations, non-nuclear States, try to
seek nuclear weapons for defensive purpose, which is the only excuse of P5 nations to claim possession of
nuclear weapons.

Timeline of the Nuclear Age

1940's
“The United States' Manhattan Project builds and tests the first atomic bombs. The new weapons are used on
Hiroshima, then Nagasaki leading to the end of World War II. The beginning of the Cold War follows with the
USSR's detonation of an atomic bomb in 1949.‖

1950's
―The Korean War opens this decade that sees the first space travel by human beings, the construction of bomb
shelters and the deployment of the first Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles by the United States in 1958.‖

1960's
―France and China join the "Nuclear Club". The Cuban Missile Crisis brings the world to the brink of a nuclear
war and back. In 1968 an unpopular war in Vietnam and the rise of social demonstration across the world present
the backdrop for the Non-Proliferation Treaty in which the nuclear powers promise to bring about complete
nuclear disarmament.‖

1970's
―The SALT I and Anti Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaties opened this decade on a positive note. The end of the
Vietnam War was followed by the SALT II agreement. The tragic accident at Three Mile Island nuclear energy
plant occured at the end of the decade.‖

1980's
―The Cold War was at its height with Ronald Reagan declaring the USSR "the Evil Empire." Reagan's
Administration engineers a massive build-up of nuclear arms. In 1985 It's revealed that Israel may have up to 200
nuclear weapons stockpiled. By the end of the decade, the Cold War ended when Glasnost exploded into a mostly
peaceful revolution across the former-Soviet bloc.‖
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1990's
―The promise of nuclear disarmament after the Cold War got a boost when Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Belarus
chose to give up their nuclear arsenals inherited from the former Soviet Union. Other nuclear weapons states do
not follow suit. By the end of the decade two other countries, India then Pakistan, tested nuclear weapons.‖
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2000's
―This decade began with threats by the US to proceed with a nationwide missile defense system, even if this
means abrogating the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.‖

Glossary
The International Atomic Energy Agency:

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is the world‘s center of collaboration in the nuclear
field. Initially, it was established and named ―Atoms for Peace‖ organization in 1957 under the United Nations.
The IAEA works in cooperation with member nations and international organizations to promote peaceful
nuclear technologies.

Nuclear Weapon Free Zone:

Nuclear Weapon Free Zone is specifically designated region where countries commit themselves not to produce,
acquire, test, or hold nuclear weapons. There are five nuclear weapon free zones today: Latin America, the South
Pacific, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Central Asia.

Yongbyon nuclear facility:

Yongbyon nuclear facility is one of the major nuclear facilities existing in North Korea. This facility first started
nuclear reactors. Also, this facility is known for producing nuclear weapons that North Korea tested in 2006 and
2009.

Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty:

Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty has created in order to limit the proliferation of nuclear
weapons. There are currently 189 states to the treaty since March 5th, 1970.

Sources
International Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament
http://www.icnnd.org/

North Korean Nuclear Program

http://munillinois.org/north-korean-nuclear-program

Q&A Nuclear Disarmament

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/6103398.stm

Statistics (Nuke State)

http://www.fas.org/programs/ssp/nukes/nuclearweapons/nukestatus.html

Timeline of Nuclear Decades

http://www.nuclearfiles.org/menu/timeline/html_index.htm

Speeches of Presidents
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http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2009/sc9746.doc.htm

U.N. Security Council Commits to Global Nuclear Disarmament

http://www.america.gov/st/peacesec-english/2009/September/20090924130059dmslahrellek0.401745.html

The Security Council and Nuclear Weapons

http://www.globalpolicy.org/component/content/article/198/32826.html