All Contributions
November 2024
US Sanctions on North Korea by Troy Stangarone
The article examines the extensive US sanctions on North Korea, imposed for issues like nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles, human rights abuses and illicit activities. Rooted in legislation and executive orders, these sanctions are complex, spanning decades and including both national and UN-aligned measures, with limited paths for relief.
September 2024
UN Security Council Sanctions on the DPRK by Thomas J. Biersteker
UN sanctions on the DPRK were first imposed in 2006 following its nuclear test and missile launches. Over time, these sanctions expanded in scope, targeting North Korea’s economy and leadership. Despite increased restrictions, division among the UN Security Council members has weakened the sanction regime, raising concerns about effectiveness and humanitarian impact.
August 2024
The Impact of Sanctions on Humanitarian Assistance to the DPRK by Hazel Smith
The paper investigates the broader impacts of UN sanctions on North Korea. It first clarifies that sanctions do not affect the volume of humanitarian aid. It then details how sanctions have hindered aid delivery and worsened North Korea's food crisis, suggesting that lifting sanctions could prevent further deaths from malnutrition-related diseases and starvation.
June 2024
Overview of the DPRK Sanctions Regime: China by Qiyang Niu
The article discusses China's implementation of UNSC sanctions against the DPRK, highlighting its use of executive measures, participation in specialised UN organs and national legislation. It reviews the efficiency of China’s sanction procedures, the role of key government agencies and the complexities in enforcing sanctions, especially concerning dual-use items and geopolitical influences.
June 2024
National Sanctions Regime on DPRK: Republic of Korea by Lim Soo-Ho
This article explores South Korea's approach to implementing UNSC sanctions against North Korea. Unlike the United States, South Korea lacks a dedicated sanctions statute and instead revises public notices of existing related statues. The article details the legal framework, administrative processes and the roles of various ministries in enforcing these sanctions.
June 2024
Artificial Intelligence and its Convergence with Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards by Hyuk Kim
The article explores ongoing AI convergence with the nuclear field at the practical level, focusing on nuclear safety, security, and safeguards. It details how States apply AI techniques to enhance functions, citing scientific publications. The article then examines the potential political, practical, and technical challenges in leveraging the benefits of AI at the international level.
October 2020
For Good Measure by David Joel La Boon
Assessing new missile threats requires accurate measurements. North Korea unveiled an enormous liquid-propelled ICBM on a massive 11-axle launcher at its 2020 parade. By leveraging known references and imaging techniques, open-source experts can carefully extract key dimensions from parade photos, unlocking crucial insights about the system's capabilities.
July 2020
Why the "Old Normal" Along the Sino-Indian Border Can No Longer Stand by Ankit Panda
India and China's deadly June 2020 Galwan Valley clash, with 20 Indian soldiers killed, sharply raised the profile of their latest Himalayan border dispute. It marked the most serious violence since 1967, redefining the nature of their border conflicts and broader relationship as Asian powers.
June 2020
South Korea's Hyunmoo-4 and Increasing Missile Capabilities across Northeast Asia by Jeffrey Glen Lewis
Despite North Korea's missile program often dominating headlines, South Korea's missile efforts came into the spotlight in May, as media revealed the Hyunmoo-4 missile test. These reports can be verified with open source information, including navigational warnings and commercial satellite images.
May 2020
Monitoring Iran's Solid Rocket Program from Space by Jeffrey Glenn Lewis
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp launched a small satellite into orbit on April 22, notable for its use of a new solid-propellant second stage rocket called Salman, unveiled in February. While many were surprised by the launch, the reaction from knowledgeable observers was: What took so long?