End of U.S.–Russia Arms Treaty sparks fears of new nuclear race

Описание: 미•러 핵군축 협정 종료… 북핵 기조 어디로?

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon.
The last remaining arms control treaty between the United States and Russia — New START — officially expired on February 5th.
With it, the final barrier holding back full-scale nuclear competition between the world’s two largest powers has now disappeared.
As Washington floats the idea of bringing China into a new trilateral framework, concerns are rising that we could see a return to Cold War-style dynamics — but this time, with faster, more advanced weapons.
These developments inevitably cast a long shadow over the Korean Peninsula as well.
With North Korea preparing for its 9th Party Congress and signaling a stronger military posture, the question now is — how does this shifting global nuclear order reshape the security calculus here at home?


For a deeper discussion on this, we connect to Dr. Stephen Noerper, President of Asia Dialogue. Good to see you.

Also joining us is Go Myung-hyun, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for National Security Strategy. Thank you for joining us.


(NOERPER) 1. Let's start with Dr. Noerper. The ‘New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty’ expired on February 5th.
What does this mean in the current global security landscape, and why did the two sides fail to reach an extension agreement?

(GO) 2. Just a day after the treaty expired, there were reports that the U.S. proposed trilateral arms control talks including China. What is Washington’s core goal in trying to bring China into the negotiation framework?

(NOERPER) 3. China has refused to join the existing framework, pointing to the different size and structure of its nuclear forces compared to those of the U.S. and Russia. Dr. Noerper, what kind of agenda-setting would be necessary for trilateral talks to actually move forward?

(NOERPER) 4. The end of New START is also raising concerns about a renewed global arms race. Some say it may trigger a faster shift toward a ‘qualitative’ arms race rather than just a numerical one.
At a time when the nuclear risk is said to be at its highest in decades, what dangers could this type of competition bring?

(GO) 5. There are also projections that if nuclear competition ramps up again, North Korea will flat-out reject denuclearization demands.
Dr. Go, how do you assess the current shift influencing Pyongyang’s arms development pace, or its negotiating posture?
And what’s your outlook for denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula?

(NOERPER) 6. Then what direction should South Korea’s security strategy take in response Dr. Noerper? And what about broader cooperation frameworks — trilateral ties like South Korea–U.S.–Japan or South Korea–China–Japan?

(GO) 7. Meanwhile, on February 8, marking the 78th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Army, Chairman Kim Jong-un stated that the next five years will be a period where North Korea's military’s role becomes even greater.
How could we read into this?

(GO) 8. Then how do you think the Party Congress will lay out North Korea’s future strategic direction — especially in terms of its messaging toward the U.S. and South Korea?

(NOERPER) 9. There’s also interest in whether this Congress could serve to elevate Kim Jong-un’s political status.
Some even suggest the possibility of reviving the ‘presidency’ once held by Kim Il-sung.
What would be the meaning behind such a move, Dr. Noerper?

(GO) 10. Following the 9th Party Congress, there are predictions that North Korea could add a new “territorial waters” clause into its constitution — potentially using it to nullify the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the West Sea.
What are the chances of this becoming reality, and how might it affect security on the Korean Peninsula?


That will be all from us on Within the Frame.
Be sure to tune in next time as we continue to explore the stories that matter. Until then, stay informed and engaged!

#UnitedStates #Russia #NorthKorea #Nuclear #New_START #StephenNoerper #GoMyunghyun #미국 #러시아 #북한 #핵 #핵무기 #북핵 #뉴스타트 #안보 #Arirang_News #아리랑뉴스

📣 Facebook :   / arirangtvnews  
📣 Youtube :    / @arirangcokrarirangnews  
📣 Homepage : https://v2.arirang.com/

2026-02-13, 20:30 (KST)