North Korea’s Nuclear Programme: A 12 Month Outlook

The North Korean nuclear programme is almost certain to remain a fixture of the geopolitical landscape for the next 12 months. Most of the international community agrees that avoiding widespread proliferation is paramount. North Korea (NK) has continued its nuclear program despite international condemnation. In the next 12 months, North Korea is highly unlikely to denuclearise because it lacks trust that its partners in any agreement would abide by set terms. In addition, its programme is almost certainly being used to prevent regime change, and missile tests are likely to increase.