Nuclear North Korea: Situation in Brief

On the third of October 2006 North Korea pledged that they would test a nuclear weapon.
CNN Reports

Intelligence reports activity around North Korean nuclear test site. No timetable for the test given.

Unconfirmed reports come into news agencies around 11 o'clock Eastern Time -5 GMT. Initial reports pick up no seismic activity. It is later confirmed that there was definite seismic activity around North Korea. Report that China informed the United States of North Korean nuclear test 20 minutes prior to actual test.

U.N. Security Council convenes. Most parties are agreeing on sanctions.

China reaffirms its commitment to sanctions.
Associated Press Reports

The United States refuses direct talks with North Korea
Fox News Reports

Report that North Korea may fire nuclear missile.
CNN Reports

China is the most powerful contender is this situation. They provide energy and food to North Korea. The United States wants China to use their hold over them to help bring control to the situation. China says that they do not want to put too much of a squeeze on North Korea but affirms that action will be taken.

China says it has no information regarding reports that North Korea may attempt a second test. When ask to comment on the possibility of military action Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao commented, "I think this is an unimaginable way." It is speculated that the Chinese are worried about the fallout from military action and the potential for a large number of refugees to cross the border into China. If war breaks out the Chinese could be faced with a great humanitarian crisis.
Reuters Reports

China still believes that sanctions from the U.N. and economic pressure could bring an end to North Korea's desire to become a nuclear state.

North Korea is being crushed under famine and poverty. Government control on information access makes the people submissive and dissidents are placed in camps most likely to die. Based on the principals outlined in Ian Bremmer's The J- Curve the best way to deal with North Korea is not through sanctions but rather trying to topple the government from within. North Korea is a highly introverted nation and as a result further isolation from the world is not as much of a deterrent as many leaders would like to think. We need to open the North Korean government. For now all sanctions can do is turn an already closed nation further into isolation.

The true threat comes from North Korea's belief that the United States is their main enemy in the world. North Korea is so desperately poor that they would probably welcome money from known terrorists who mean harm against the United States and their allies, including Israel and sell their nuclear technology. This is the worst-case scenario on the minds of many government officials.

We need to take this seriously. Although North Korea is well know for their bluffs they are a nation at the end of their rope and things have a great potential to escalate even further. We cannot give into their demands but we must not let this go as just another one of North Korea's attention stunts.

The U.S. vowed not to be intimidated by North Korean threats Tuesday after Pyongyang reportedly said it could fire a nuclear warhead if Washington did not act to resolve the standoff. -Fox News

Some report that North Korea is 5-10 years away from having the capability to launch a nuclear warhead that could potentially reach the United States. The Taepodong Missile, which has the ability to reach the United States, failed in the test conducted in July. Falling into the Sea of Japan 40 seconds after launch. However North Korea has the capability to reach Japan and South Korea with their Nodong missiles.

Missile Ranges:

Taepodong: 4,000-10,000km
Nodong: 1,000-1,300km
Wikipedia.

For more information on the North Korean weapons program visit this link
Global Security