The North Korean nuclear program that is threatening the peace and stability of the whole of Northeast Asia has been going on for at least the past four decades. Even though North Korea had received help from many quarters in the development of its nuclear program, the country that has played the most significant role in its development is Pakistan. The close relationship between the two countries started more than three decades ago and it is still going on. Pakistan has provided North Korea with nuclear know-how and other needed assistance in return for which it received missile technology and in some cases even ready-made missiles from North Korea. The American approach to this external linkage of the North Korean nuclear program has been one of confusion and incomprehensibility since the outset of this linkage. Recent polices of the United States toward North Korea have made many doubtful of the American commitment to nuclear non-proliferation in Northeast Asia. Many believe that America's policies are instead driving North Korea toward attaining nuclear weapons at a very rapid pace. America thus needs to re-evaluate its approach toward North Korea and instead of seeking temporary solutions, it should come out with a comprehensive solution based on a truly multilateral approach, where the concerns of all parties involved are well-considered. America as the lone superpower should cease bullying smaller and weaker North Korea, by taking its allies South Korea and Japan along the same course.
