Abstract
Despite the Agreed Framework signed in October 1994, suspicions over North Korea's secret nuclear activities still exist and the nuclear problem is not yet over. The North's missile launch in August 1998 caused additional concerns over peace and stability in Northeast Asia. This article revisits North Korea's nuclear problem to draw lessons for the future in dealing with Pyongyang's weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs. First, it analyzes the nature of the problem and the fundamental reasons why the North Korean regime resists increasing transparency in its nuclear activities. Second, the article examines the policy mistakes made by the IAEA, South Korea and the United States and looks into the missed opportunities that could have brought about a better result. Finally, it proposes to revitalize inter-Korean cooperation with outside assistance, which will become a key to completely resolving nuclear-related problems on the Korean peninsula. Constructive initiatives from the IAEA would help break through the current deadlock.