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North Korea crisis in 300 words North Korea crisis in 300 words
(8 days later)
As the US and North Korea prepare for a historic summit, let's take a step back and look at the crisis that at worst could threaten nuclear war. After a historic summit between the US and North Korea, here's an overview of a saga that has at times threatened nuclear war.
Why does North Korea want nuclear weapons? Why did North Korea develop nuclear weapons?
The Korean peninsula was divided after World War Two and the North developed into a Stalinesque authoritarian system.The Korean peninsula was divided after World War Two and the North developed into a Stalinesque authoritarian system.
Isolated on the global stage, it says nuclear weapons are its only deterrent against an outside world seeking to destroy it. Isolated globally, it saw nuclear weapons as its only deterrent against a world it believed was seeking to destroy it.
Could it carry out a nuclear attack?Could it carry out a nuclear attack?
North Korea has carried out six nuclear tests. One, it says, was a hydrogen bomb.North Korea has carried out six nuclear tests. One, it says, was a hydrogen bomb.
It claims, though this remains unverified, to have developed a nuclear bomb small enough to be carried by a long-range missile. It claims, though this remains unverified, to have developed a nuclear bomb small enough to be carried by long-range missile.
It has also has a ballistic missile that experts believe could reach the US, Pyongyang's main adversary. It also has a ballistic missile experts believe could reach the US, Pyongyang's main adversary.
In response the UN, the US, the EU and have implemented increasingly tough sanctions. In response the UN, the US and the EU have imposed tough sanctions.
Why can't Kim just be removed? Why did talks materialise?
The North has missiles aimed at South Korea and Japan. A pre-emptive strike against Pyongyang could trigger devastating retaliation. It would also kill countless North Koreans. Theoretically, North Korea was always open to negotiations.
As the biggest Asian power, China is concerned about regime collapse, and that a unified Korea would bring US forces currently stationed in the South directly to its border. But after months of sabre-rattling, it came as a surprise when Mr Kim said he was "open to dialogue" in January 2018.
A historic summit in the making? Mr Trump then proved willing to ignore the pre-talk conditions past presidents have imposed.
When China backed sanctions, that further pressurised Pyongyang - though the North insists they weren't decisive.
A new era?
In April the Koreas' two leaders met and agreed to find a way to end the Korean War. They said they would "denuclearise the peninsula" - without agreeing what that meant.
Pyongyang ordered a halt to tests, freed US detainees and destroyed its nuclear research site.
Then on 12 June, Mr Trump became the first sitting president to meet a North Korean leader.
At their Singapore summit, Mr Kim reiterated his commitment to denuclearisation.
But observers said the document the pair signed did not explain the details.
Previous attempts to negotiate aid-for-disarmament deals have failed.Previous attempts to negotiate aid-for-disarmament deals have failed.
But in 2018, the North embarked on direct talks with Seoul and in April the Koreas' two leaders met for a historic inter-Korean summit.
Pyongyang also suggested direct talks with the US, ordered a halt to nuclear and missile tests, freed three US detainees and blew up its nuclear testing site.
In March, US President Donald Trump briefly called off the summit but currently, his unprecedented meeting with Kim Jong-un is due to take place on 12 June in Singapore.
Want to know more?Want to know more?