北韓的飛彈外交與亞太安全

North Korean Missile Diplomacy and Asia Pacific Security

北韓是第三世界最大的彈道飛彈保有國，也是全世界最大的彈道飛彈出口國，糧食不足經濟又陷入困境的北韓，以出售飛彈為其賺取外匯的主要來源。北韓多年來以飛彈和相關科技發展外交並取得外匯的政策結果，使中東地區也變成潛在的飛彈威脅者。北韓透過飛彈的威力展示，已迫使美、日、南韓在談判中做出重大的讓步，並獲得實質報償，無疑的是北韓外交上的重大勝利。北韓的飛彈試射乃至不斷的研究與發展，顯然對亞太地區已形成了複雜的政治與軍事變數，迫使美、日、南韓不得不研商因應北韓動向的對策。

North Korea is not only the third world country with the biggest missile arsenal, but is also the world's largest exporter of ballistic missiles and related technology. Pyongyang, which is facing both an economic crisis and a severe food shortage, relies on missiles as the country's main export item. Pyongyang has sold ballistic hardware and technology to Iran, Iraq and Syria, posing a threat to the security of the Middle East.North Korea's firing of missiles is used as a negotiating card in Pyongyang's talks with Washington, Tokyo, and Seoul; Pyongyang tends to believe that such actions help it gain more rewards from the west. North Korea test fires and continues to develop missiles, therely threatening security in the Asia Pacific region. The United States, Japan, and South Korea must build up their own defenses and adopt a new policy toward North Korea.