By SARA BERGQUIST

sbe007@latech.edu

 

When the government of North Korea announced it had launched a test nuclear missile Oct. 8, the world shared concerns for what the future may hold, including a Tech expert in the field.

Kenneth Rea received a Ph.D. in East Asian history and taught Asian history courses at Tech before taking on the role as Tech’s vice president. Rea offered insight as to the nature of North Korea.

“To understand North Korea, you have to realize the main goal of its leader [Kim Jong-il], which is to maintain his power and also to maintain the independence of North Korea,” Rea said.

Rea also said a totalitarian regime exists in North Korea, and the nation’s leadership is almost like that of a dynastic one because Kim Jong-il took leadership after his father, Kim Il-sung.

“[Kim Jong-il] became convinced that the way to preserve his regime was by developing this nuclear capability,” Rea said.

In 1994, during the Clinton presidency, a framework was decided upon between the United States and Korea, that might have led to peace, Rea said.

“This was basically to move [North Korea] away or to end their nuclear weapons program,” Rea said. “[Korea] has violated that agreement and [North Korea] admitted that they have violated that agreement.”

Rea also said from North Korea’s perspective, if North Korea has the nuclear capability, then the United States will be less likely to move against them.

“What is going on in north east Asia is very important because Iran is also looking at the U.S. response and the response by the international community,” Rea said. “It’s not just a threat to the United States it’s really a threat to international security, and do we really want to see a proliferation of nuclear states?”

Rea also said students can expect the United States will have growing concerns on the Korean peninsula.

One major concern is the continuing advancement and development of nuclear capability of North Korea and how that plays out in a threat to our allies in the region, Rea said.

He also said another threat to the United States is the danger that the new nuclear technology might be made available to other failed states or terrorist groups.

“The United States wants to respond through working with the Security Council and the United Nations at this point,” Rea said.

Mevan Siriwardane, a Tech graduate of biomedical engineering, said he has no doubt the United States has been threatened, but like Rea, he believes the United States should approach the dilemma tactfully.

“The United States must handle this situation in a more diplomatic manner by first consulting with the [United Nations],” Siriwardane said. “In fact, the chaos in Iraq should be a testament to the failed foreign policies when we choose to hastily take matters into our own hands.”

Andy Bloxham, a graduate student of art, said he was not surprised to discover North Korea’s advancements in nuclear technology.

“[My biggest fear] is how America will respond to this recent news,” Bloxham said. “I only hope that nothing is done in haste.”

Bloxham also said he could foresee a geographical change on globes if nuclear technology continues to progress.

“My biggest worry is the domino effect. If one is used, then how many more will be used and where all they will be used at?” Bloxham said.

Rea said the United States is not threatened at this time but the future remains uncertain.

“[U.S.] allies are threatened because if North Korea develops an intercontinental ballistic missile that will reach U.S. territory, then we will be threatened,” Rea said. “I think if we can avoid a confrontation then we should do so. Military action cannot be ruled out, but I think it unleashes a whole different scenario.”