Background

North Korea has been using nuclear reactors to produce nuclear weapons and the materials to build them. Though these weapons have not been used in warefare, North Korea continues to produce and test weapons, despite claims no to test or produce weapons for extended time periods. The United States is involved with this issue as a monitor on the countries nuclear production, as well as placing troops in North Korea. North Korea is involved as the producer and tester of nuclear weapons, creating tension.

Location

So where exactly is this happening? It's in North Korea of course; a country located on the northern half of the Korean Peninsula.

North Korea is a small, East Asian country that consists of eighty percent mountains and uplands. These landforms crisscross the northern and eastern sections of the country. The highlands of this country are cut through in many places by deep river valleys and canyons. Wide coastal plains located on the southwestern section of the country hold much of the population of North Korea. A Continental Climate marked by the typically long, dry winters and short, wet summers caused by the monsoons dominates this country.

As for the people here, the main ethnicity is Korean, and the country is mainly ethnically homogeneous, with a few scattered people of Japanese or Chinese descent, resulting in the fact that the main and official language is Korean as well. The dominant religon is traditionally Buddhist and Confucianist with few Christian influences.

All in all, this country tends to have little physcial and ethnic diversity. The country's simmilarity is well preserved through it's government's attempts to keep out outside influences, resulting in it's current state today.

Development

1945 -- At the end of World War II, the Korean Peninsula is caught up in a violent Cold war over Communism. The fighting continues for years.

1953 -- A ceasefire is signed on the peninsula, ending the war, bringing a tense state of peace, and dividing the area into the independent nations of North Korea and South Korea.
Shortly afterward, South Korea leaves it's northern counterpart lagging behind in terms of economic development, despite North Korea's advantage at the end of the war.

1993 -- North Korea withdraws from the national Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, a signed agreement to cease the testing and production of nuclear weapons. As a result, great tension is created within the UN, and the United States sends troops over seas in order to monitor the country.

Recently -- Reunification of North Korea and South Korea has been discussed, but never quite considered. This is mainly due to North Korea's insistent system of Communism, it's continued cultural cut-off, and it's non-cooperation and secrecy in the area of nuclear activity.

Impact

The nuclear blasts cause damage to the human body and the radioactive ash and debris can also kill many people. The spread of soot can destroy and devastate the ecosystems. The soot can rise and slowly spread across the country, even blocking some sunlight. North Korea also places large sums into running and maintaining nuclear reactors, as well as making and testing nuclear weapons. The production of nuclear weapons has cause U.S. troops to be stationed within the country. North Koreas leader is privately glad that the troops are there, but publicly demands their removal.

1. Radiactive ash and soot can spread killing people and many ecosytems.
2. Tension between other countries, such as the UN being upset that North Korea withdrew from the treaty and the U.S. is having to help deal with the problem by sending in thier troops.
3. The more nuclear weapons being created the more suspicion from other countries that North Korea may try and attack other countries.

Future

In the long term, North Korea's testing of Nuclear weapons could have a hugely negative impact on the country and surrounding areas. Nuclear Blasts from testing can cause damage to the human body. Radioactive ash remaining in testing areas can cause radiation poisoning, which in turn leads to death.

Nuclear testing also tends to devastate relative environments and spread polluting soot in the atmosphere. This buildup of soot can cause future greenhouse gas effects, promoting global warming and creating a blockage of sunlight. With this large amount of sunlight blockage and atmospheric pollution overhanging the area, a possible nuclear winter shines in the future of North Korea.

Economically, the production of these weapons is quite expensive, not to mention the price of testing. This continuous drain on the country's treasure sets up grounds for future economic loss.

So far, North Korea itself has done little to nothing in preparation for the future of this issue. In fact, this country has been further promoting the issue by producing and testing more nuclear weapons. However, the United States and other countries (i.e. China) have been making attempts to convince North Korea to re-join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation treaty. Also, the United States has sent in monitory troops in order to watch North Korea's nuclear activities.
Click here for further reading about North Korea's Nuclear Weapons program.

Big Picture

North Korea's government has been extremely secretive about this topic. While saying they will stop production and testing of nuclear weapons, they may shortly afterwards be found testing. The governments secrecy is preventing further investigations and attempts to stop this issue.
It relates most to cooperation and conflict, because North Korea is not cooperating with the UN's wish to stop production and testing of nuclear weapons, causing tension and conflict. My topic represents the importance of this theme by giving an example of a highly dangerous conflict. North Korea's worldwide tensions, production of nuclear weapons, and conflict with South Korea result in a situation sitting on the edge of a nuclear war. People could use out topic to better understand motivations of other countries that threaten the use of nuclear weapons, as well as measures to prevent nuclear warfare.