A Successful Test?

International Herald Tribune announced, along with all of Japanese, South Korean, and U.S. media, the successful--question mark--execution of a nuclear bomb test in North Korea. North Korea gave the following statement regarding this shiver-inducing 'accomplishment':

The field of scientific research in the DPRK successfully conducted an underground nuclear test under secure conditions on October 9, 2006, at a stirring time when all the people of the country are making a great leap forward in the building of a great, prosperous, powerful socialist nation.

It has been confirmed that there was no such danger as radioactive emission in the course of the nuclear test as it was carried out under scientific consideration and careful calculation.

The nuclear test was conducted with indigenous wisdom and technology 100 percent. It marks a historic event as it greatly encouraged and pleased the KPA and people that have wished to have powerful self-reliant defense capability.

It will contribute to defending the peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the area around it.

Whether North Korea actually blew up a nuke underground remains to be confirmed. Personally, the successful completion of a nuclear bomb test seems highly unlikely for a country that, not only failed to launch 7 missiles in July 2006, but is also facing international reprimand, including those from fellow neighbors China and South Korea; an entire starved nation; and limited funds/resources. Do they have all necessary components of a nuclear bomb, and have they been able to develop sufficient technology? Not so sure.

If North Korea actually blew up a nuke, it will be interesting to see what the UN and its participating countries will do in response...if any. The U.S. have, in the past, repeatedly articulated their contempt for any nuclear test, as has the UN, China, Japan, and South Korea. Furthermore, a successful execution of a nuclear test is a metaphorical equivalent to a political slap in the face for China and Russia. For years they have stressed that they will contain North Korea and its potentially disastrous activities. A successful test will, essentially, prove them wrong.

So far, tangible confirmation has been limited to a 4.3 Richter scale earthshake, artificially created, in an area of North Korea that U.S. intelligence has estimated to be the locale of nuclear testing.

To be perfectly blunt, the U.S. has nothing to gain from North Korea other than, in its defeat, keeping their reputation as the world's police force debatably committed to extermintating all Evil. Unless North Korea actually bombs someplace beyond their national borders, the U.S. will do nothing.

Now, as for Japan and other East Asian countries developing nuclear arms, which many Western nations seem to fear. As the only country ever levelled by an atomic bomb, the feeling that we will never be the ones to nuke another nation remains strong, even half a century after the War. Abe, our new PM, may be more nationalistic than Koizumi, but it is doubtful that he will go against an entire nation's opinion.