Nuclear Security in Central Asia and the Policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan on “the Denuclearization” of the Korean Peninsula

Abstract

Considering problems of regional and global security, it should be noted that
in modern world, the problem of non-proliferation and complete destruction of nuclear weapons
remains one of the most important. The presence of the nuclear arsenal among states that are
not official members of the so-called “nuclear club” threatens the entire system of international
security. For the Central Asian region, nuclear security is of particular importance, since the
territories of the Central Asian countries, being part of the USSR until 1991 themselves represented
part of the military-industrial complex of nuclear power.
With the collapse of the unified military and nuclear infrastructure, with the closure of the
Semipalatinsk test site and dismantling of the Soviet nuclear legacy, the question arose related
to the need to restore ecology, to prevent recurrence of militarization in the region and “nonproliferation” of technical and nuclear materials released as a result of “denuclearization”.
The article discusses historical features of the demilitarization of the region from the 2nd
half of the 1980s till the modern period, shows regulatory and legal conditions for the creation
and functioning of “nuclear-free” zones, considers the influence of international community and
policies of the “nuclear club” countries in relation to the status of Central Asian countries and the
Korean Peninsula, also, some recommendations are given, which are based on the experience of
the Republic of Kazakhstan and the countries of the Central Asian region in establishing a safer
world and strengthening regional security.
Also, the article analyzes political and legal relations between the Republic of Kazakhstan
and South Korea and the degree of their participation in regional initiatives to strengthen the
“nuclear-free” zones and the “denuclearization” of the Korean Peninsula.
The article reveals mechanisms of bilateral and multilateral initiatives, including principles
and directions of work to strengthen and implement the provisions of the Comprehensive Test Ban
Treaty, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Treaty on the Prohibition
of Nuclear Weapons. At the same time, the practice of joint actions within the framework of the
Special Programs of the NPT and the Global Summits on Nuclear Safety is shown and modern
programs and projects of Kazakhstan to strengthen nuclear safety are characterized.
In addition, the article shows current parameters and identifies joint priorities in ensuring
nuclear “non-proliferation” and disarmament and gives a number of recommendations.