The legal and political consensus underpinning United Nations resolutions on North Korea is that DPRK denuclearisation can be understood as a just cause. But were the means used by the United Nations in sanctioning North Korea also just? This question takes on particular urgency given the ongoing humanitarian challenges facing the country. Drawing on just war theory, Prof. Smith considers this question against the criteria of effectiveness, necessity and proportionality and reaches the conclusion that these standards were not met, imposing undue harm on North Korean citizens. The analysis raises questions about the ethics of sanctions, both generally and in the North Korean case, and how and if they should be designed going forward.

Speakers: 

Hazel Smith, Professorial Research Associate, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London and Professor Emerita in International Security, Cranfield University 

Stephan Haggard, Lawrence and Sallye Krause Professor of Korea-Pacific Studies,UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy (Moderator)