Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center

When the Soviet Union said that they would help North Korea create a ‘peaceful’ nuclear program, they helped build Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center. And whether or not the Soviet Union was truly aware of Kim Il-sung’s plans, as well as that of his successors, the plant was built. Eventually, in the 1980’s, it seemed to take more of a nuclear weapon development stance than that of being a ‘safe nuclear energy plant.’

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, also known as the NPT, was put in place in in 1968, but enforced in 1970. Due to the number of nations that have continually grown their nuclear energy programs, as well as nuclear weapons projects, the United Nations saw the need to put a treaty in place. The NPT states that its objective is “to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and to further the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament and general and complete disarmament.” And although most nations complied, with 191 countries observing the treaty up to 2016, there were a few that didn’t.