Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) is an international treaty created in 1970 to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. It divides countries into nuclear weapons state (China, France, Russia, UK, USA), which had nuclear weapons by 1967, and non-nuclear weapons states, some of which have developed nuclear weapons since then. After signing the treaty, non-nuclear states are not allowed to create nuclear weapons. Countries that do have nuclear weapons are required to work towards disarmament and help non-nuclear states create peaceful nuclear technology.

The DPRK signed the NPT in 1985 but left in 1993 after the United States began threatening it with nuclear bombs. The treaty allows countries to withdraw if they need nuclear weapons to defend their sovereignty.