Students Enact Six-Party Simulation

The Six-Party Talks refers to a conversation with North and South Korea, Japan, The United States of America, Russia, and China about the nuclear power that North Korea seems to possess. These countries have been trying since 2003 to come to an agreement on four major problems: plutonium, human society, a peace treaty, and money.

Communication between all six parties has been the most difficult aspect of the negotiations. Since each nation is suspicious of one another, no agreement has yet been reached. The biggest issue is that North Korea is still a threat as a nuclear power. The United Nations has been particularly displeased by North Korea’s possession of plutonium.

On September 30^th, the FAHS ETC program offered students the option of participating in a simulation of the Six-Party Talks. Seven students were involved: Isaac Moore, Noah Moore, Shianna Bender, Peter Sitarik, Megan Fella, Meghana Patil, and Steven Toney. The event started at 12:30 p.m. and continued through 4:30 p.m. at the Berks County Intermediate Unit. Each student played the role of ambassador for a different nation. Two weeks were given for preparation. In total, approximately 150 students from across the county were in attendance.

“The food was an amazing,” recalls Noah Moore. Food was free, so that made him even happier.

Moore represented North Korea, and he tried to manipulate the negotiations to favor the country he represented. The simulation had a score system and was undertaken as a game. Japan was the least influential country in attendance, but it was able to offer the most money. Moore’s goal was to avoid disarmament, establish a peace treaty prior to negotiations, delay any permanent agreements, and receive the most points by game’s end.

“This was our first time. I feel that we did a good job,” said Mrs. Lennet.