They did it again!

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

North Korea declares it conducted nuclear test

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - North Korea claimed it carried out a powerful underground nuclear test Monday - much larger than one conducted in 2006 - in a major provocation in the escalating international standoff over its rogue nuclear and missile programs.

Pyongyang announced the test, and Russia's Defense Ministry confirmed an atomic explosion at 9:54 a.m. (0054 GMT) in northeastern North Korea, estimating the blast's yield at 10 to 20 kilotons - comparable to the bombs that flattened Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The regime also test-fired three short-range, ground-to-air missiles later Monday from the same northeastern site where it launched a rocket last month, the Yonhap news agency reported, citing unnamed sources. The rocket liftoff, widely believed to be a cover for a test of its long-range missile technology, drew censure from the U.N. Security Council.

North Korea, incensed by the condemnation of the April 5 rocket launch, had warned last month that it would restart its rogue nuclear program, conduct an atomic test and carry out long-range missile tests.

On Monday, the country's official Korean Central News Agency said the regime "successfully conducted one more underground nuclear test on May 25 as part of measures to bolster its nuclear deterrent for self-defense."

President Barack Obama said a nuclear test would constitute an act of "blatant defiance" of the U.N. Security Council and a violation of international law, and only further isolate North Korea.

North Korea's claims "are a matter of grave concern to all nations," he said, calling for international action in a statement from Washington. "North Korea's attempts to develop nuclear weapons, as well as its ballistic missile program, constitute a threat to international peace and security."

Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso said the U.N. Security Council will meet at 4:30 p.m. Monday in New York (2030 GMT).

"North Korea's nuclear test poses a grave challenge to nuclear nonproliferation and clearly violates U.N. Security Council resolutions," he said in Tokyo. "We are not tolerating this at all."

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown condemned the test as "erroneous, misguided and a danger to the world. This act will undermine prospects for peace on the Korean peninsula and will do nothing for North Korea's security," he said. "The international community will treat North Korea as a partner if it behaves responsibly. If it does not, then it can expect only renewed isolation."

South Korea, meanwhile, was grappling with the suicide two days earlier of President Lee Myung-bak's liberal predecessor, Roh Moo-hyun, whose death drew condolences from North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. Kim held a 2007 summit in Pyongyang with Roh, who championed reconciliation with North Korea.

The rise in tensions over North Korea's nuclear and missile programs comes amid questions about who will succeed the authoritarian Kim, 67, who is believed to have suffered a stroke last August. North Korea also has custody of two American journalists - accused of entering the country illegally and engaging in "hostile acts" - who are set to stand trial June 4.

Monday's atomic test was conducted about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northwest of the northern city of Kilju, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Alexander Drobyshevsky said, speaking on state-run Rossiya television.

Kilju, in the northeastern province of North Hamgyong, is where North Korea conducted its first nuclear test in October 2006 in a surprise move that angered even traditional ally China and drew wide-ranging sanctions from the Security Council.

An emergency siren sounded in the Chinese border city of Yanji, 130 miles (200 kilometers) to the northwest. A receptionist at Yanji's International Hotel said she and several hotel guests felt the ground tremble.

North Korea boasted that Monday's test was conducted "on a new higher level in terms of its explosive power and technology of its control" than in 2006.

Ten to 20 kilotons would be far more than North Korea managed in 2006. U.S. intelligence officials said the 2006 test measured less than a kiloton; 1 kiloton is equal to the force produced by 1,000 tons of TNT. However, Russia estimated the force of the 2006 blast at 5 to 15 kilotons, far higher than other estimates at the time.

Radiation levels in Russia's Primorye region, which shares a short border with North Korea, were normal Monday several hours after the blast, the state meteorological office said.

In Vladivostok, a city of 500,000 about 85 miles (140 kilometers) from the Russian-North Korean border, translator Alexei Sergeyev said he wasn't concerned about the test and doesn't fear North Korea.

"Their nuclear program does not have military aims - their only aim is to frighten the U.S. and receive more humanitarian aid as a result," said Sergeyev, 24.

The reported test-firing of short-range missiles took place at the Musudan-ri launchpad on North Korea's northeast coast, some 30 miles (50 kilometers) from the nuclear test site, Yonhap said. Unnamed sources described it as a ground-to-air missile with a range of 80 miles (130 kilometers).

Japan's coast guard had said Friday that North Korea warned ships to steer clear of waters off the coast near the launch site, suggesting Pyongyang was preparing for a missile test. Yonhap also had reported brisk activity along the northeast coast last week.

South Korean troops were on high alert but there was no sign North Korean soldiers were massing along the heavily fortified border dividing the two nations, according to an official at the Joint Chiefs of Staff headquarters in Seoul. He spoke on condition of anonymity, citing agency policy.

The two Koreas technically remain at war because their three-year conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty, in 1953. Tensions have been high since conservative President Lee Myung-bak took office in Seoul in February 2008 saying Pyongyang must fulfill its promises to dismantle its nuclear program before it can expect aid.

North Korea is believed to have enough weaponized plutonium for at least a half-dozen atomic bombs. However, experts say scientists have not yet mastered the miniaturization needed to mount a nuclear device onto a long-range missile.

The 2006 test prompted North Korea's neighbors and the U.S. to push for a pact that would give Pyongyang 1 million tons of fuel oil in exchange for disabling its nuclear facilities.

North Korea signed the accord in February 2007 and began disabling its main nuclear reactor in Yongbyon that November. Pyongyang destroyed the Yongbyon cooling tower in June 2008 in dramatic show of its commitment to the process, but then abruptly halted the process weeks later over a dispute with Washington over how to verify its 18,000-page list of past atomic activities.

Talks hosted by Beijing in December failed to resolve the impasse, and North Korea abandoned the six-nation negotiations last month in anger over the U.N. condemnation of its rocket launch.

North Korea claims it launched the rocket to send a satellite into space; South Korea, Japan and other nations saw it as a way to test the technology used to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile, one capable of reaching the U.S.

The Security Council called the launch a violation of 2006 resolutions barring the regime from ballistic missile-related activity.

[jynxxxedangel]

Pyongyang, N. Korea, is equally as charming as someone else's hyperactive, attention-starved child.

In the immortal words of Stuart Larkin,

"LOOK WHAT I CAN DO!"

[creatureofthenyte]

Who's gonna do something about it?? That's the question.

[jynxxxedangel]

Hopefully, not us again. Why doesn't someone ELSE do something about it? This endless cycle of being asked for assistance, then being blamed for genocides, is getting tiresome.

Bring on the ninja assassins.

Edited May 25, 2009 by jynxxxedangel

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

Because we are the ones that they are trying to intimidate into fueling/feeding their impoverished regime.

[Scary Guy]

The thing is that Kim is gay and into bondage and masochism. He's seen what we can do to other countries and he wants us to go beat the fuck out of him.

[Tacohitts]

Maybe the next time they test another bomb they will test it on a fault line,imagine what that might do to the earth.

their leader is definately a mental case.

[Rev.Reverence]

Because we are the ones that they are trying to intimidate into fueling/feeding their impoverished regime.

We should ignore them...other than perhaps a covert operation to remove their nuclear capabilities.

[Slogo]

He really does remind me of the black sheep of family.

"Nobody is paying attention to me. I need to do something crazy"

It seems like most of the powers near n. korea aren't any happier about it. Though i doubt there will be a Chinese invasion of n. korea. As cool as it would be.

[Rev.Reverence]

He really does remind me of the black sheep of family.

"Nobody is paying attention to me. I need to do something crazy"

It seems like most of the powers near n. korea aren't any happier about it. Though i doubt there will be a Chinese invasion of n. korea. As cool as it would be.

THAT...would be really short...

[candyman]

THAT...would be really short...

Short as in how? Do you mean that North Korea would lose quickly? Or do you mean that China would run out of EVERYTHING trying to move even half of its force more than 10 feet?

[Rev.Reverence]

Short as in how? Do you mean that North Korea would lose quickly? Or do you mean that China would run out of EVERYTHING trying to move even half of its force more than 10 feet?

As in..how long will it take them to march in...they would not have to move a tank...an entire army of foot soldiers.

[candyman]

As in..how long will it take them to march in...they would not have to move a tank...an entire army of foot soldiers.

Ah...but they will go after South Korea first I think...you can't really damage a country that has taken all the abuse that it can take and more, and that rules out the North...

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

As in..how long will it take them to march in...they would not have to move a tank...an entire army of foot soldiers.

N. Korea has a larger Army than China. In fact, it's the largest in the world. China would also have to contend with the largest collection of long range artillery.

[jynxxxedangel]

Let me go over there. I'd take down Kim single-handedly, in his bed, with a stiletto to the base of his skull.

Would save the taxpayers millions, and a lot of dead soldiers.

You'd be surprised how easy it is, for a lady to get into tight places. Been there, and done it. Even powerful men can be very foolish, when it comes to dipping their wicks.

P.S. I know I wouldn't return from that mission, though. Getting in is one thing. Getting out, would be next to impossible.

Edited May 26, 2009 by jynxxxedangel

[Slogo]

N. Korea has a larger Army than China. In fact, it's the largest in the world. China would also have to contend with the largest collection of long range artillery.

List of worlds largest militaries

They have large numbers of reserves

Edited May 26, 2009 by Slogo

[Scary Guy]

Let me go over there. I'd take down Kim single-handedly, in his bed, with a stiletto to the base of his skull.

Would save the taxpayers millions, and a lot of dead soldiers.

You'd be surprised how easy it is, for a lady to get into tight places. Been there, and done it. Even powerful men can be very foolish, when it comes to dipping their wicks.

P.S. I know I wouldn't return from that mission, though. Getting in is one thing. Getting out, would be next to impossible.

If you're a security nut though you don't fall for that, especially when a good portion of the world wants your head on a platter.

I'm sure he has his own brothel full of loyalest women willing to do anything for him. Hell it's hard enough to get in the country as it is.

[StormKnight (1)]

Topic of China Expanding its Army.

Numbers listed in this January 2009 is 2.3 million, US at 1.38 million, India at 1.3 million, Russian at 1.24 million.

Size of forces by service.

Armed forces totals by country

Wiki list reference.

Question: what is the source of your statistics? I will not deny the North Korea may have the tech advantage over China, but total numbers of active troops in a 2:1 in China's favor.

Reserve inclusive, yes, North Korea has more, (followed by South Korea,) but time to mobilize reserves may take a bit.

Slogo: D'oh! you beat me to it.

Edited May 26, 2009 by StormKnight
link error

[candyman]

I think people have left out the part where the size of the army doesn't count for shit...

There may be many countries that have twice the numbers that we do...but training, experience, hardware (and software), and honor count for much more that sheer numbers.

It is true that Russia and its larger numbers held out against the Germans which is partly due to their great rifles and their awesome loyalty to their country...but Germany fucked up really bad. Today I do not see our military screwing up badly enough to let waves of half armed madmen win.

Fun facts on the equipment that China, and their neighbors, use...

Its 2.8 million-person army is the world's largest but is poorly trained and equipped.

Its 8,500 tanks are slow, small and out-of-date.

The 4,000 fighter planes in the Chinese air force are mostly from the 1960s and 1970s and lack modern avionics.

Its navy's 61 submarines and 54 surface ships are capable of little more than coastal patrols.

Just because they have alot of stuff and just because it came from Russia does not mean it helps alot. Unless they have somehow rebuilt they are screwed...they would still need the updates. They have neither the time nor the money for that sort of stuff. Our country may be behind when it comes to automotive technologies but at least we are only five years behind...China and their buddies have somewhere around 30 years of catching up to do. Even if they get everything up to date they will never be able to maintain the equipment...the don't have pilots or mechanics to repair or do upkeep. Also, it kinda helps to have parts that are COMPLETELY up to spec and there is no way in hell that they are able to do that.

They are and will always be paper tigers...superpower wannabe idiots!

P.S. Our nation is filled with many VERY capable hunters...the vast majority of them are better armed and equiped than China.

[ttogreh]

All that being said, the most powerful force for peace in this world is unencumbered trade between states. There is a McDonald's in Ho Chi Minh square.

The South of the Korean peninsula is such a stark contrast to the North, that if you did not know better, you would assume that the people are from different worlds. What caused the southern advance?

Free Trade.

If we were really interested in the North Korean people's welfare, we would sell them blue jeans.

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

Topic of China Expanding its Army.

Numbers listed in this January 2009 is 2.3 million, US at 1.38 million, India at 1.3 million, Russian at 1.24 million.

Size of forces by service.

Armed forces totals by country

Wiki list reference.

Question: what is the source of your statistics? I will not deny the North Korea may have the tech advantage over China, but total numbers of active troops in a 2:1 in China's favor.

Reserve inclusive, yes, North Korea has more, (followed by South Korea,) but time to mobilize reserves may take a bit.

Slogo: D'oh! you beat me to it.

Most of your links and Slogo's are broken. I didn't check the wiki link though as I don't trust it.

but.. from GlobalSecurity.org

This is just thier Reserves.

■The Reserve Military Training Unit consist of approximately 1.7 million persons (men 17-45 and unmarried women 17-30) who are not either in active duty or important rear area personnel. They are mobilized under supervision of provincial military units, for a total of forty days' training out of the year.

■The Worker-Peasant Militia is a combination of older men aged 45-60, along with men ages 17-45 and unmarried women ages 17-30 who are not included in Reserve Military Training Unit. They train for a total of thirty days out of the year. Their current numbers stand at 4.1 million.

■The Young Red Guards consist of 1.2 million male and female Higher Middle (High) School students aged 14-16. They are subject to a mandatory four-hour drill session every Saturday and a total of 160 hours of on-campus drills annually. A total of 450 hours of off-campus training is also mandatory.

Thats nearly 7 million bodys to throw at an invading force and it doesn't count active full time military units.

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

I think people have left out the part where the size of the army doesn't count for shit...

There may be many countries that have twice the numbers that we do...but training, experience, hardware (and software), and honor count for much more that sheer numbers.

It is true that Russia and its larger numbers held out against the Germans which is partly due to their great rifles and their awesome loyalty to their country...but Germany fucked up really bad. Today I do not see our military screwing up badly enough to let waves of half armed madmen win.

Fun facts on the equipment that China, and their neighbors, use...

Its 2.8 million-person army is the world's largest but is poorly trained and equipped.

Its 8,500 tanks are slow, small and out-of-date.

The 4,000 fighter planes in the Chinese air force are mostly from the 1960s and 1970s and lack modern avionics.

Its navy's 61 submarines and 54 surface ships are capable of little more than coastal patrols.

Just because they have alot of stuff and just because it came from Russia does not mean it helps alot. Unless they have somehow rebuilt they are screwed...they would still need the updates. They have neither the time nor the money for that sort of stuff. Our country may be behind when it comes to automotive technologies but at least we are only five years behind...China and their buddies have somewhere around 30 years of catching up to do. Even if they get everything up to date they will never be able to maintain the equipment...the don't have pilots or mechanics to repair or do upkeep. Also, it kinda helps to have parts that are COMPLETELY up to spec and there is no way in hell that they are able to do that.

They are and will always be paper tigers...superpower wannabe idiots!

P.S. Our nation is filled with many VERY capable hunters...the vast majority of them are better armed and equiped than China.

All I am going to say is your info is way out of date.

[ttogreh]

Are we really going to get in to a statistics pissing match over theoretical troop strength of possible participants in an unlikely ground war?

North Korea is testing its limits with the Obama administration, like a toddler with its mother. If they keep testing their nukes, they won't have any more to threaten anyone.

[StormKnight (1)]

Tried to correct my links. Remove the " target="_blank at the end of the address if it appears, and it should work.

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

Tried to correct my links. Remove the " target="_blank at the end of the address if it appears, and it should work.

Working now. Still old info. i will try to find a link I was looking at this morning again. Anything that says that N. Korea's standing army has anything over a million men in it is wrong. The site I was looking at had the newest intel. That puts them at about 900k standing and 7 million reserves. The over a million figure is 10 year old data that was gathered before N.K. restructured.

but... instead of getting stuck in a debate over wether my statement was 100% correct or not I will rephrase...

they have one of the largest military forces in the world. They are also one of the best trained and would be fighting on thier home turf... They also still have over 40k artillery pieces to rain down on any invading force. They also have the ability to wipe Seoul off the map within an hour of any attack without ever risking one of thier lives. (All thier biggest guns can hit it and are aimed at it 24/7)