Nuclear Blackmail

Normally, the threat of nuclear weapons has always been one of deterrence. In other words that nation that has them regard them as ways to keep other nations from doing something – namely attacking it. At least, that has been how they have been regarded up until North Korea's latest statements. Because they appear to have told China that they will test their nuke unless the US lifts sanctions on the Kim regime. In other words it is straight, gangster extortion.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said a device would be detonated about 2,000 meters (6,562 feet) inside a mine near the border with China in the north of the country.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il had issued instructions that the test should "not excessively rock" Mount Paektu, a nearby peak many Koreans consider sacred.

"They are more or less ready," the source told Reuters after speaking to North Korean officials. He did not give a timetable.

His comments could not be independently confirmed, but South Korea newspapers reported that although there were thousands of mine shafts that could be used for a test. Seoul and neighboring countries were closely monitoring three or four sites.

The Hankook Ilbo newspaper said the most likely site was the administrative district of Gilju in North Hamkyung province.

….

The Chinese source said Pyongyang "may not necessarily test," and would hold off if Beijing and other Asian powers could convince the United States to lift sanctions and open dialogue.

New Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is due to visit China on Sunday and South Korea the next day for summits to repair ties frayed by feuds over their wartime past. But North Korea's nuclear threat will grab a top spot on the agenda.

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun visits China, North Korea's closest ally and major donor, next Friday.

"The bilaterals will be useless unless they can talk the United States into changing its attitude and respecting North Korea's sovereignty," the Chinese source said.

Pyongyang has boycotted six-country talks aimed at persuading it to abandon its atomic arms program for almost a year since the United States froze its assets in a Macau bank. Washington has said the move is part of a crackdown on suspected North Korean counterfeiting, money-laundering and drug-trafficking.

The United States absolutely cannot give in to this one. This is blackmail pure and simple. But if the North Koreans go ahead with the test, there should be immediate and harsh sanctions backed by every nation in the world. This would be a horrible precedent for the entire world.

Other Links to this Post

1. NKorea will test a nuclear device « Toasted Bread — October 7, 2006 @ 10:42 am