Korea Herald: Speculations Rise Over Denuclearization Cost

The cost of disabling nuclear weapons may be small compared to the costs of production, maintenance and upgrades, but that is still high. The process of disarmament could take a decade, according to Stanford University’s Center for International Security and Cooperation. Only skilled teams can oversee the process. Security along with political and economic stabilization is required to prevent materials falling into the wrong hands, leading to greater risks. North Korea likewise has at least 200 skilled personnel who could replicate the program. Total costs of dismantling North Korea’s program, direct and indirect could exceed $200 billion, about five times the cost of eliminating Ukraine’s arsenal during the 1990s, according to a study by Kwon Hyuk-chul of Kookmin University. Another estimate estimates all costs at $2 trillion. Choi He-suk, writing for the Korea Herald, reports that the US president has suggested that South Korea, China and Japan rather than the United States would bear most of the costs. – YaleGlobal