Korean+Nuclear+Weapons

[Current news -2/24/2009] North Korea plans to launch a "satellite" in the near future, but US intel thinks it is a ruse (and has been done before - Taepodong-1 1998 japan) using newer Taepodong-2 missile that they believe can reach Alaska, possibly even US west coast. [1] . However, Obama's Intel chief (Dennis Blair) says that North Korea is Unlikely to actually use a weapon [2] against the U.S.A. but instead it is for deterrence, international prestige and coercive diplomacy.
 * North Korean Nuclear Weapons **

South Korea continues to request for a nuke free truce, that is a "Pre-condition for peace" [3], along with US,Chinese,Russian & Japanese representatives[4], which has been a ongoing pressure for a number of years. It was also recently rumored to that their program has gotten help from a rogue Pakistani nuclear scientist[5] (War on Terror, “Axis of Evil”,etc)

Pro: More Security for NK, another step into the “big boys” club, counter super-powers Con: Country is still abusive, Human Rights Violations,

[History] In 2006, NK claims to have done a small scale test and US Intel has verified it, although they believe it to be extremely small (>1 kiloton vs ~20KT for US first test) and might have been a misfire. [6]. [7] + it has a much smaller explosion size (and therefore limited damage), harder to make - advanced technology is generally needed for smaller "tactical" nuclear weapons, more espionage,

The test was UNANIMOUSLY condemned by the international community, including their strong ally China. Threats of military response was made but none was acted upon. Instead UN military and economic sanctions were imposed instead (United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718) including -Must "not conduct any further nuclear test or launch of a ballistic missile" & related programmes - must also "return immediately to the six-party talks without precondition". -UN members have the /right/ but not obligation to inspect korean ships for Nuclear Material & equipment - Freeze of all internationally located assets of members who are a part of the program and ban on travel and the import of luxury goods - Prevents the selling of certain Military Equipment, including :"battle tanks, armored combat vehicles, large calibre artillery systems, combat aircraft, attack helicopters, warships, missiles or missile systems", "related materiel including spare parts" and any other items identified by the sanctions committee. -On October 14, 2006, the UN Security Council unanimously approved the sanctions & they would be lifted if cooperation was received (which has not fully arrived yet).

More Detailed Timeline Available @ http://www.armscontrol.org/act/2006_11/NKTest

[1]http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g5bCbd3G8qFoX7H4TvQbUWvBQ08QD96HNQ3O0 [2]http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-02-13-voa4.cfm [3] http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/02/22/South_Korea_calls_for_nuke-free_peninsula/UPI-37971235306644/ [4] [|http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/skorea-japan-resume-nkorea-nuke/story.aspx?guid={9A493AD8-F51B-469B-AAD7-80A213EA61D6}&dist=msr_2] [5] http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/feb/23/loose-nuke-scientist/ [6] http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601101&sid=aO7kW.RjqqaE&refer=japan [7] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_North_Korean_nuclear_test