North Korea threatens to test nuclear bomb

North Korea has announced that it has plans to test a nuclear bomb, igniting a collosal uproar over what has been deemed a hostile and provocative act by national leaders across the globe. Surprisingly, North Korea also stated that it remains committed to nuclear disarmament.

North Korea, widely regarded as the most isolated country in the world, has a history of defiant military gestures. However, in the past North Korea has often used its military developments and threats as negotiating tools, a strategy that has typically involved forfitting military projects in exchange for foreign aid and guarantees of security. Nonetheless, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro As called North Korea's latest announcement "totally unforgiveable" and said that Japan and other states would react "harshly" should the nuclear test take place. South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun has called for a "cool-headed and stern response". China, North Korea's primary lifeline for food and fuel, has urged its ally to "stay calm and show restraint". U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has called North Korea's announcement "very provocative", calling upon other Asian nations (presumably South Korea and China) to rethink their relationship with Kim Jung Il's regime.


Despite being incredibly impoverished and in the midst of a food crisis, North Korea continues to maintain and finance the fifth largest military in the world, whose arsenal includes, among other things, the world's largest submarine fleet. Many accuse North Korea, a country that devotes 30 to 40 percent of its entire economic output to military expendentures and weapons development, of having traded the basic welfare of its people for global military prowess.

North Korea's foreign ministry has released a statement declaring the nuclear bomb test a duly warranted response to threats posed by the United States.

The statement reads:

"The U.S. extreme threat of a nuclear war and sanctions and pressure compel the DPRK to conduct a nuclear test, an essential process for bolstering nuclear deterrent, as a self-defense measure in response."

-Travis

Link to the story below.

North Korea planning nuclear test (Miami Herald)

Updates:


10.16.06 US CONFIRMS NORTH KOREA NUCLEAR TEST (EuroNews)
10.12.06 North Korea warns U.S. that it will test again (The Independent)
10.09.06 NORTH KOREA CLAIMS NUCLEAR TEST SUCCESS
(The Independent)
10.06.06 U.S. Weighs Sanctions Against North Korea (New York Times)