The U.S. Response to North Korea's Nuclear Provocations

History has proven that North Korea has every intention to continue advancing its nuclear program. In an effort to strengthen both domestic and international positions, the United States has shown a willingness to negotiate with North Korea if it is simply willing to first take steps toward denuclearization. North Korea has shown no interest in doing so, but it has successfully extracted food assistance and other foreign assistance from us by threatening nuclear activity. This is an unacceptable cycle that cannot continue. Due to North Korea's nuclear threat and proximity to our allies, South Korea, and Japan, our response options are limited, but they largely fall into two categories-sanctions and information flow. Some argue for United Nations sanctions, but others say that would exert little pressure on North Korea, largely due to China's lack of enforcement. Some speak of North Korea as the most heavily sanctioned state in the world, but that is simply not the case. The leaders of North Korea, as well as China, should understand that every Pyongyang provocation will induce a congressional response in an attempt to alter North Korea's ways.