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Via the NYT: N. Korea Reports 1st Nuclear Arms Test

North Korea said Sunday night that it had set off its first nuclear test, becoming the eighth country in history, and arguably the most unstable and most dangerous, to proclaim that it has joined the club of nuclear weapons states.

The test came just two days after the country was warned by the United Nations Security Council that the action could lead to severe consequences.

I have two initial reactions. One is that I wonder as to what said “severe consequences” can possibly be. The North Korean economy is already a wreck and there isn’t going to be an invasion. It would seem the country best situated to punish the North Koreans would be China, but it is unclear to me what they would do and if they are truly inclined to do it.

Another reaction (indeed my first) is that I don’t believe press releases from Kim Jung Il’s government. However (and unfortunately) Fox News is reporting confirmation of the test:U.S. Official: North Korea Tested Nuclear Weapon

The official said, however, that initial readings from South Korea reported only a 3.58-magnitude seismic reaction, which is smaller than what would be expected from the 4-kiloton explosion the communist nation sought. To put the bomb’s capabilities in context, a 20-kiloton explosion could conceivably kill 200,000 people.

How’s that for some happy Monday morning news?

Matthew Yglesias makes some interesting observations in regards to what punishment might look like, and also the consequences thereof.

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The views expressed in the comments are the sole responsibility of the person leaving those comments. They do not reflect the opinion of the author of PoliBlog, nor have they been vetted by the author.

9 Responses to “NK Joins the Club”

North Korea conducts successful nuke test « Morning Coffee Says:
October 9th, 2006 at 7:19 am
[...] Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post. Post a comment or leave a trackback: Trackback URL. « Iran refuses to haltenrichment [...]
Outside The Beltway | OTB Says:
October 9th, 2006 at 7:20 am
North Korea Officially Joins Nuclear Club

North Korea has tested a nuclear weapon, becoming the eighth open member of the nuclear club. While merely confirming what was already considered a given, this still has enormous consequences, as David Sanger explains:
North Korea’s decision to co…
Outside The Beltway | OTB Says:
October 9th, 2006 at 7:20 am
North Korea Officially Joins Nuclear Club

North Korea has tested a nuclear weapon, becoming the eighth open member of the nuclear club. While merely confirming what was already considered a given, this still has enormous consequences, as David Sanger explains:
North Korea’s decision to co…
bRight & Early Says:
October 9th, 2006 at 8:04 am
First Cup 10.09.06

…
The Florida Masochist Says:
October 9th, 2006 at 8:26 am
Bomb test

What a mess is the best description of all this. Sanctions aren’t going to work, and leaving Kim in power could destabilize the region by the subsequent arming of Japan which will certainly cause tensions. Most of the region still doesn’t forget what…
Norks with Nukes… So Now what? « Morning Coffee Says:
October 9th, 2006 at 9:47 am
[...] Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post. Post a comment or leave a trackback: Trackback URL. « North Korea conducts successful nuketest [...]
The Moderate Voice Says:
October 9th, 2006 at 12:43 pm
North Korea Nuclear Test Triggers World Concern And Finger Pointing

The bottom line: tough talk from the United States and the United Nations failed to do the trick.

North Korean conducted a nuclear test anyway, and there are even a few suggestions another one will be on the way.

And what can…
Brett Marston Says:
October 10th, 2006 at 3:41 pm
Armscontrol wonk has some good stuff on this; my favorite line:

the United States has built a missile defense that does not work, to defend against a North Korean missile that does not work, that would carry a nuclear warhead that does not work.

This is all very postmodern.

Link is here.
Dr. Steven Taylor Says:
October 10th, 2006 at 3:57 pm
Brett,

That is laugh out loud funny (yet, also so very sad).

Thanks.

S

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Taylor Via the NYT: N. Korea Reports 1st Nuclear Arms Test North Korea said Sunday night that it had set off its first nuclear test, becoming the eighth country in history, and arguably the most unstable and most dangerous, to proclaim that it has joined the club of nuclear weapons states. The test came just two days after the country was warned by the United Nations Security Council that the action could lead to severe consequences. I have two initial reactions. One is that I wonder as to what said “severe consequences” can possibly be. The North Korean economy is already a wreck and there isn’t going to be an invasion. It would seem the country best situated to punish the North Koreans would be China, but it is unclear to me what they would do and if they are truly inclined to do it. Another reaction (indeed my first) is that I don’t believe press releases from Kim Jung Il’s government. However (and unfortunately) Fox News is reporting confirmation of the test:U.S. Official: North Korea Tested Nuclear Weapon The official said, however, that initial readings from South Korea reported only a 3.58-magnitude seismic reaction, which is smaller than what would be expected from the 4-kiloton explosion the communist nation sought. To put the bomb’s capabilities in context, a 20-kiloton explosion could conceivably kill 200,000 people. How’s that for some happy Monday morning news? Matthew Yglesias makes some interesting observations in regards to what punishment might look like, and also the consequences thereof. Share on Facebook Sphere: Related Content Filed under: US Politics \| \| The views expressed in the comments are the sole responsibility of the person leaving those comments. They do not reflect the opinion of the author of PoliBlog, nor have they been vetted by the author. 9 Responses to “NK Joins the Club” North Korea conducts successful nuke test « Morning Coffee Says: October 9th, 2006 at 7:19 am [...] Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post. Post a comment or leave a trackback: Trackback URL. « Iran refuses to haltenrichment [...] Outside The Beltway \| OTB Says: October 9th, 2006 at 7:20 am North Korea Officially Joins Nuclear Club North Korea has tested a nuclear weapon, becoming the eighth open member of the nuclear club. While merely confirming what was already considered a given, this still has enormous consequences, as David Sanger explains: North Korea’s decision to co… Outside The Beltway \| OTB Says: October 9th, 2006 at 7:20 am North Korea Officially Joins Nuclear Club North Korea has tested a nuclear weapon, becoming the eighth open member of the nuclear club. While merely confirming what was already considered a given, this still has enormous consequences, as David Sanger explains: North Korea’s decision to co… bRight & Early Says: October 9th, 2006 at 8:04 am First Cup 10.09.06 … The Florida Masochist Says: October 9th, 2006 at 8:26 am Bomb test What a mess is the best description of all this. Sanctions aren’t going to work, and leaving Kim in power could destabilize the region by the subsequent arming of Japan which will certainly cause tensions. Most of the region still doesn’t forget what… Norks with Nukes… So Now what? « Morning Coffee Says: October 9th, 2006 at 9:47 am [...] Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post. Post a comment or leave a trackback: Trackback URL. « North Korea conducts successful nuketest [...] The Moderate Voice Says: October 9th, 2006 at 12:43 pm North Korea Nuclear Test Triggers World Concern And Finger Pointing The bottom line: tough talk from the United States and the United Nations failed to do the trick. North Korean conducted a nuclear test anyway, and there are even a few suggestions another one will be on the way. And what can… Brett Marston Says: October 10th, 2006 at 3:41 pm Armscontrol wonk has some good stuff on this; my favorite line: the United States has built a missile defense that does not work, to defend against a North Korean missile that does not work, that would carry a nuclear warhead that does not work. This is all very postmodern. Link is here. Dr. Steven Taylor Says: October 10th, 2006 at 3:57 pm Brett, That is laugh out loud funny (yet, also so very sad). Thanks. 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