Ko Yun-hwa (l), Administrator of Korea Meteorological Administration, points at where seismic waves observed in South Korea came from, during a media briefing at Korea Meteorological Administration in Seoul, South Korea, January 6, 2016. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji
Sharon Squassoni, Reuters: Why even a failed test makes North Korea’s nuclear arsenal scarier
Nuclear weapon tests are no longer a commonplace occurrence, so it’s always a little shocking when it happens. It may even be shocking to the country that conducts it – most recently, North Korea. The famously secretive regime broadcast news of its “safe and perfect” test of an H-bomb to spectators standing in the massive Kim Il Sung Square in the capital Pyongygang shortly after the event. According to the Korean Central News Agency, “There took place a world startling event to be specially recorded in the national history… The DPRK proudly joined the advanced ranks of nuclear weapons states possessing the H-bomb.”
The mixture of pride, triumph and aggression that has accompanied announcements following each of North Korea’s tests – in 2006, 2009, 2013 and now in 2016 – always raise the question of what North Korean leaders hope to achieve politically with these tests.
The technical aims are obvious. The first test was a dud, so a second test was required. The 2009 test yielded between 2 and 7 kilotons (the Hiroshima blast was 15 kilotons), and the 2013 test a bit better (between 7 and 25 kilotons). The North Koreans stated that the 2013 test “diversified its nuclear deterrence capabilities.”
WNU Editor: People hate unpredictability .... doubly so when it comes to unstable and secretive nuclear states like North Korea. Because we do not what are the intentions of Kim Jong-Un our speculation (and fears) only increase. My prediction .... nothing has really changed .... it is just that North Korea has reminded all of us what it is capable of doing.
Update #1: North Korea says South's propaganda broadcasts push situation to 'brink of war' (Reuters).
Update #2: North Korea warns of war, claims US and South 'jealous' of purported nuclear test (FOX News)
