The Right State

North Korea is claiming they have tested a nuclear weapon making the communist country one of the eight nuclear powers along with the United States, Great Britain, France, China, Russia, India, Pakistan, and Israel.

South Korea’s geological institute estimated that the test’s power was equivalent to 550 tons of TNT, far smaller than the two nuclear bombs the U.S. dropped on Japan in World War II.

The U.S. Geological Survey said it recorded a magnitude-4.2 seismic event in northeastern North Korea. Asian neighbors also said they registered a seismic event, but only Russia said its monitoring services had detected a nuclear explosion.

The United States has not officially confirmed the success of the test, but they are acting like it was a success.  The 550 ton test is quite small considering the nuke the US droped on Hiroshima was about 15 kilotons.  It makes me wonder if it was a real bang or if it was a dud.

A nuclear North Korea has regional and world implications, particularly in the Pacific Rim.  Both Japan and South Korea will feel the need to build up their arms at the very least, possibly even going nuclear themselves.  This was the one reason China did not want Kim Jong Il to join the nuclear club.

The United States, Japan, China and Britain led a chorus of criticism and urged action by the United Nations Security Council in response to the reported test, which fell one day after the anniversary of reclusive North Korean leader Kim Jong-il’s accession to power nine years ago.

The Security Council had warned North Korea just two days earlier not to go through with any test, and the Pyongyang government’s defiance was likely to lead to calls for stronger sanctions against the impoverished and already isolated country.

Many of the Asian countries have not forgotten Japan’s arms buildup before WWII and the atrocities committed during the war.  The threat of a nuclear Japan has even greater implications for China than North Korea.  Therefore China can not let the situation with North Korea get out of hand.  Expect them to join the US and Great Britain in placing strong sanctions on the Kim regime.

The sanctions against North Korea are likely to hurt the people more than it hurts Kim Jong Il’s regime.  Much like Saddam’s Iraq, the communist leader will have his palaces and live his life in luxury while his people starve.

The reasons for North Korea’s nuclear test now are varied, but most think it may have to do with ascension of South Korea’s foreign minister to the position of UN Secretary General.  One thing is certain—the world has just become a more dangerous place.

Tags: Nuclear Weapons //