Thursday, April 13, 2017

New York Times: North Korea May Be Preparing Its 6th Nuclear Test

The New York Times reports:
New satellite images suggest that North Korea might soon conduct another underground detonation in its effort to learn how to make nuclear arms — its sixth explosive test in a decade and perhaps its most powerful yet.

North Korea’s nuclear tests have grown steadily more destructive, and the country continues to pursue its longtime goal of putting a nuclear warhead on an intercontinental missile capable of reaching targets around the globe...

While examining satellite imagery, experts have observed a wide range of activity at Mount Mantap, a mile-high peak where North Korea conducts its nuclear tests. Beneath the mountain, a system of tunnels has been excavated for the past five detonations of the North’s nuclear bombs.

North Korea often marks significant dates with shows of military force, and analysts say it might detonate a nuclear weapon to celebrate the birthday this Saturday of the nation’s founder, Kim Il-sung, the grandfather of the current leader, Kim Jong-un...

On March 28, a satellite image showed people gathered in front of an administrative building at the test site. The last time such a large group was observed was on Jan. 4, 2013, a little more than a month before North Korea’s third nuclear detonation.

Experts see the recent gathering as yet another sign that the North may be getting closer to detonating a device in its increasingly long series of nuclear tests.
If  Kim Jong-un does test a missile, Trump is going to respond. No one knows how this will play out, especially for the people of South Korea and Japan.

The kid could have likely been talked down but the "dealmaker" has instead provoked the nutty leader in mano y mano style.

Think of it this way, two nut jobs playing chicken both with serious military capability.

Naturally, Kim Jong-un wouldn't win a military confrontation with the United States but would he want to go out in a blaze taking as much of South Korea and Japan with him as possible---or will he blink?

We may know by the end of this weekend.

-RW 

1 comment:

  1. "New satellite images suggest that North Korea might soon conduct another underground detonation in its effort to learn how to make nuclear arms" - NYT

    This is probably poor wording but aren't I supposed to be afraid of the NK government because they already know how to make nuclear arms?

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