Freeman Report November 2006 Issue - Vol. 4, No. 11

North Korea’s October 9th test of a nuclear weapon is remarkable in many ways. Most striking, however, is how this apparently historic development has not fundamentally changed the positions of regional states involved in efforts to denuclearize the Korean peninsula. In fact, China is the only country that has detectibly altered its behavior in the wake of the test, bringing previously unexpected pressure to bear on North Korea. In contrast to the changes in Beijing, the United States and Japan remain committed to pressure tactics and South Korea remains unalterably committed to engagement.