ALERT: North Korea Says Nuclear Test Successful !!!!!!
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea said Monday it has performed its first-ever nuclear weapons test. The country’s official Korean Central News Agency said the test was performed successfully and there was no radioactive leakage from the site.
“The nuclear test is a historic event that brought happiness to the our military and people,” KCNA said.
South Korea’s Yonhap news agency said the test was conducted at 10:36 a.m. (9:36 p.m. EDT Sunday) in Hwaderi near Kilju city, citing defense officials.
Via Michelle: Austin Bay looked at trouble on the China/N. Korean border earlier today. See also StrategyPage and the London Times.
From HotAir:
The army wanted a test as soon as possible ” to spite China, according to Reuters’s sources.
The Russian officials claim that the bomb has a 20-kiloton yield, similar to the one used on Nagasaki, and would be capable of killing 200,000 people.
As for the new South Korean UN Secretary-General, early indications are that he’s an empty suit. Which might not be a bad thing, come to think of it.
The U.S. Geological Survey has detected no seismic activitiy, but that’s not necessarily proof that a test didn’t happen.
In Seoul a foreign ministry spokesman said South Korea’s intelligence agency has detected a 3.58-magnitude seismic tremor, following North Korea’s announcement of a nuclear test.
October 9, 2006 - 04:58 AM on October 9th, 2006
I guess we can thank Bill and Madeline for this. If only they had refrained from giving this man nuclear power. Let’s see, it took them about a decade to turn that ‘power’ into a weapon.
I hope China cuts them off. While I feel very sorry for the people of Korea that China feeds I think this problem will only be solved when the country is left on it’s own to sink or swim. When resources they use for weapons are redirected to feed their people.
I guess in the end it’s up to the little boy with the big gun.
October 9, 2006 - 06:37 AM on October 9th, 2006
North Korea Nuclear Test Could Spark Asian Arms Race
Report: South Korea Suspends Aid to North Korea
October 9, 2006 - 05:57 PM on October 9th, 2006
A very important detail that the media will ignore is the actual yield of the explosion. The American people and the America media don’t understand the difference between a 1 Kilo-ton yield and a 1 Mega-ton yield. My guess would be around 5-10 Kilo-ton. I heard reports of a 500 Ton yield which would be a freaking joke.
President Clinton made a retarded / criminal decision when he gave North Korea Uranium. My god he was so stupid and ignorant.
I think President Bush made a mistake 5 years ago when he grouped North Korea in the “axis of evilâ€. I think Kim Jung Il felt that he must develop Nuclear Weapons to prevent an attack.
October 9, 2006 - 06:24 PM on October 9th, 2006
You could be right about that Zelda. I just think that Kim is a meglomaniac that would have done this no matter what.. Regardless of what the yield was, it sent the Chinese market into a spin today which got their undivided attention. They are on board with the US and have frozen bank accounts etc…It appears they will shut off the money and pretty soon Kim’s general’s won’t be getting paid..Talk on Cavouto was that propogandists are in place to get to the people and convince them that they need a change..Much like we dealt with Russia, and no I am not comparing Russia to NK!
October 9, 2006 - 07:20 PM on October 9th, 2006
Let’s be honest; The Chinese are the only real player.
I think they will be forced to change their tactics after this nuclear test. It was a huge embarrassment to them.
October 9, 2006 - 07:24 PM on October 9th, 2006
Oh you better believe they are embarrassed! Don’t count Japan out of this..if nothing else, this will make them stronger,but I agree with you..China is the big dog in this fight. They are going to cut shipments to and fro off….I would bet Kim has an accident in the near future..I just don’t see China pussy footing around with him!
October 9, 2006 - 07:44 PM on October 9th, 2006
China is probably the only player that can get NK’s attention. Without China, NK is nothing.
October 9, 2006 - 07:47 PM on October 9th, 2006
It’s very hard to say. China and North Korea have a long history. I really don’t know what is going to happen; but China is the party to watch.
October 9, 2006 - 07:51 PM on October 9th, 2006
China took a beating on the markets today..that will not go unpunished..all that I said about isolating NK is what is being reported from China..Let’s see if they stick to it. We don’t need NK shipping anything to Iran!