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North Korea Threatens to Test Nukes

Battling to stay relevant in a world focusing more and more on the threat posed by a potentially nuclear weapons-armed Islamic Republic of Iran, the Stalinist government of Kim Jong-Il in North Korea has announced its intention to test a nuclear weapon. Pyongyang had previously tested several short- and long-range missiles in July, an act of brinkmanship - designed to bring the United States into direct talks - that failed and which led to previously pacifist Japan considering revising its post-World War II constitution to permit Tokyo to more vigorously defend itself.

Following agreements to suspend nuclear research with the United States during the presidency of Bill Clinton, North Korea in secret built up its nuclear weapons program and some years ago revealed that it had a small stash of atomic weaponry. Since then, the U.S., along with Japan, China, Russia and South Korea, has attempted to negotiate with Pyongyang but to little avail, the dictatorship left Six-Party talks and since has demanded that the U.S. engage in direct talks with the country on a wide range of issues, including money laundering by North Korea.

Japanese newspapers are brimming with speculation about the need to beef up the country?s defense capabilities. Earlier this year, several U.S. officials on both sides of the political spectrum advocated air strikes against North Korea in retaliation for missile tests, one of which involved a missile (which crashed after launch) thought capable of reaching the West Coast of the United States. Analysts aren?t sure if the North is serious about its latest threat, and question whether it will actually follow through and conduct a nuclear arms test or is just trying to blackmail America into direct talks once again.