In 2023, the media cycle continues to be dominated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and US-China competition, with North Korea’s missile program falling out of the media spotlight. But the threat hasn’t decreased. Rather, security developments on the Korean Peninsula are increasingly worrying.

Two key factors motivate international responses to North Korea. The first is obvious – the state’s nuclear program and volatile leadership present a clear threat to the stability of the region. The second is just as important, yet less widely acknowledged – North Korea’s flouting of internationally agreed rules and norms on nuclear non-proliferation opens the door for other states to ignore the rules-based order, whether that be on trade, global health security, or sovereignty of another nation.

Key messages:

• North Korea’s nuclear program remains a significant security threat to the region and beyond. Equally concerning is the threat the state poses to the rules-based order.
• Accepting North Korea’s flouting of internationally agreed rules and norms on nuclear non proliferation opens the door for other states to ignore the rules-based order, whether that be on trade, global health security, or sovereignty of another nation.
• Except for the US, no country outside Northeast Asia has been more consistently vocal and proactive in responding to the challenges posed by North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs than Australia. Canberra should continue to play an active role in international discussions on this issue.​