North Korea Tests Nuke

Initially sensed as a seismic event by the USGS on Sunday night at 8:53:43 PM (EDT), a successful underground nuclear test by North Korea has now been confirmed. Meanwhile, a South Korean source indicates that the North concurrently tested a short-range missile.

The North "successfully conducted one more underground nuclear test on May 25 as part of the measures to bolster up its nuclear deterrent for self-defence in every way," the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

"The current nuclear test was safely conducted on a new higher level in terms of its explosive power and technology,'' it said.

The force of the blast was between 10 and 20 kilotons, according to Russia's defence ministry quoted by news agencies, vastly more than the estimated one kiloton blast three years ago.

Foreign powers have expressed concern and the UN Security Council scheduled a meeting for later today. The test is considered a breach of UN Security Council Resolution 1718.

Reportedly, the North informed the U.S. and China before the test. President Obama said that North Korea's activities warrant "action by the international community." South Korea and Japan issued strong statements of condemnation. South Korea's Unification Ministry put a ban on civilians traveling to the North.

The North has quit the six-party talks, has restarted its plutonium program and is believed to have stockpiled six to 12 small nuclear devices. Monday's test was the second for North Korea which regularly asserts the need for nukes to defend its sovereignty and socialism.

Interestingly, it's believed that the North is rattling sabers because of in-house strife and disappointment in the Obama administration.

"The second test was earlier than expected and reflects the North's growing anger at Washington," said Kim Yong-Hyun of Seoul's Dongguk University.

Frankly, I tend to agree that Kim Jong-il is stressed. The dear leader's recent reported stroke plus his age make the future dicey. Being mad at Obama, I'm not so sure.

However, considering Kim Jong-il's "look-at-me-I'm-special" psyche, I suggest that he has finally accepted his mortality and decided to bow out with some extra-vigorous banging of the old tin pot. Also, putting North Korea in the spotlight ignites jingoistic sentiment and helps keep some of the young followers from making internal moves.

In any event, for the near-term those who should be most worried are the people who live on the Korean peninsula.

Tips: Marmot's Hole and STACLU

Companion post at The Jawa Report.