North Korea, Iran, and Disarmament

Reflecting on North Korea, Iran, and Disarmament, Tyler Wigg-Stevenson notes that there are many questions about what is happening and what to do about it, particularly for those working for a world free of nuclear weapons.

Wigg-Stevenson addresses two myths in the discussion that he argues need to be debunked: "there is a military-based solution to the problem" and "North Korea and Iran prove the impossibility of nuclear disarmament."

After to speaking to these two ideas, he concludes: "If we continue on a course where nuclear weapons are the unique possession of elite nations, then intractable breakout crises like Iran and North Korea are inevitable. A commitment to global disarmament will not solve our current crises; they cannot be wished away, and must be dealt with prudentially, using ongoing, creative, and open-ended methods.  But the pursuit of a world free of nuclear weapons will greatly enhance our credibility in dealing with such crises in the immediate term, while simultaneously helping to create a global climate that is far less conducive to nuclear breakout."

Since 1946, General Assemblies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), acting out of faith in Jesus Christ the Prince of Peace, have understood that working for God’s intended order and life abundant involves seeking international disarmament and arms control (PDF). Assemblies have opposed specific weapons programs and various measures that they believed stood in the way of disarmament and peace. At the same time, they have advocated positive steps to control, reduce, and eliminate nuclear weapons.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has been in ministry with the people of Iran and North Korea for many years. The National Council of Churches in Korea has issued a statement on recent events on the Korean peninsula. 

The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea has sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General about the situation (PDF)

Tyler Wigg-Stevenson is Director of the Two Futures Project, a movement of  American Christians for the abolition of all nuclear weapons.