핵무기비확산조약(NPT) 체제의 분석과 국제법적 평가

This article analyzes and evaluates “the Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons”(NPT) regime from International Law Point of Views. This article is directly connected with Denuclearization on Korean Peninsula and nuclear weapon issues of North Korea. Since the NPT entered into force 1970, nuclear weapons states have shown scant inclination to abide by their promise of good faith negotiations to achieve nuclear disarmament. Without a serious effort by nuclear weapons states to achieve nuclear disarmament, the NPT will continue to promote double standards that allow some states to continue to expand and improve their nuclear arsenal while denying others of the same rights. In order to meet the challenges of today, the NPT and the non-proliferation regime is in urgent need of reconstruction. The NPT rests on three pillars; non-proliferation, disarmament and peaceful nuclear cooperation. The continuation of the current NPT regime that ignores existing double standards is destined to result in further nuclear proliferation and the use of nuclear weapons. Only by embracing significant changes that end existing double standards and elevate nuclear disarmament obligations can the non-proliferation regime succeed. The significant changes should include commencing negotiations on a Nuclear Weapons Convention, universal application o the NPT to all states under a strict timetable, entry into force of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty(CTBT), universal and equal application of the Additional Protocol, and the phased elimination of nuclear power. The NPT regime obligations are having less and less success in restraining the irresponsible behavior of nations, especially the treaty's nuclear weapons states, and the United States in particular. As nuclear weapons states move further away from their obligations under the treaty, they are simultaneously weakening incentives for non-nuclear weapons states to the treaty to remain within the NPT regime. If such regressions continue, they will inevitably lead to an abandonment of disarmament goals and gradual lack of interest by non-nuclear weapons states parties to remain within the regime's boundaries. It is time for members of the NPT regime to issue a clear statement outlining how the treaty is being undermined and by whom. In this context, the role of civilian grassroots and nongovernmental organization (NGOs)are very important in educating the public and influencing top level policy decisions among different countries in order to improve the NPT and non -proliferation regime. There is a good example such as ICBL( International Campaign to Ban Landmines) initiative for concluding the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty.