Final answer:
North Korea has developed its nuclear weapons program under leaders Kim Jong-Il and Kim Jong-un as a means of defense and deterrence. The international community, led by the UN, has repeatedly condemned these actions. The use of force against North Korea would require careful consideration due to the potential for regional instability, radicalism, and humanitarian concerns.
Step-by-step explanation:
North Korea's nuclear weapons program has long been a point of international tension. Under Kim Jong-Il and continuing with Kim Jong-un, North Korea has pursued nuclear capabilities, allegedly as a deterrent and means of preservation against external threats. This pursuit culminated in their first nuclear test on October 2006, which was met with widespread concern from the global community. The United Nations Security Council has been involved since early conflicts, notably the Korean War, which began with North Korea's invasion into South Korea on June 25, 1950. Despite the UN's call for action against this aggression, repeatedly, North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile tests challenge international peace and stability.
The question of whether to use force to disrupt or destroy North Korea's economy due to its nuclear tests and related activities is a complex issue. It involves consideration of the country's history of resistance, use of propaganda, and provocative military actions, such as the sinking of the ROKS Cheonan and shelling of Yeon-Pyeong-Do island in 2010. Any decision to use force must consider potential radicalism, the safety of refugees, and build-up of resistance that could exacerbate instability in the region and potentially globally.