North Korea finally admits to the world that it has nuclear weapons, and that they will not return to the six-nation talks...
The Article
Diplomats have said that North Korea has acknowledged having nuclear arms in private talks, but this is the first time the communist government has said so directly to the public.
"We had already taken the resolute action of pulling out of the (Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty) and have manufactured nukes for self-defense to cope with the Bush administration's ever-more undisguised policy to isolate and stifle the DPRK," the North Korean Foreign Ministry said in a statement carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency.
This is breaking news, posted on MSNBC (they were the first to break the story as far as I can tell) only minutes ago.. (as of 1:10 am CST)
Much more below the fold...
I wonder what the Bush response will be. Stern words for Kim Jong Il? Will this be Condi's first real test at diplomacy as SOS.. Or will they put an Aircraft carrier off the coast, which will be considered an act of war by the N.Koreans?
In other Korean News:
Iranian Ambassador Hosts Reception
Pyongyang, February 9 (KCNA) -- Iranian Ambassador to the DPRK Jalaleddin Namini Mianji hosted a reception at the embassy Tuesday evening on the occasion of the 26th anniversary of the victory in the Iran Islamic Revolution. Present on invitation were Jong Yong Su, minister of Labor who is chairman of the Korea-Iran Friendship Association, Kim Hyong Jun, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, officials concerned and diplomatic envoys of various countries and representatives of international organizations here.
On hand were staff members of the Iranian embassy.
Speakers at the reception referred to the great successes made by the Iranian people in their efforts to increase the defense capability of the country, achieve socio-economic progress and ensure regional peace and stability, resolutely shattering the imperialists' moves for 26 years since the Iran Islamic Revolution.
They stressed the need to boost the friendly and cooperative relations in various fields between the DPRK and Iran which were forged through the common struggle for independence against imperialism.
The Koreans actually held a party for the Iranians for "their efforts to increase the defense capability of the country".. I wonder if it is really a great big "thank you for the help with our nuclear weapons program" type party....
[Update]
Some links on the history of North Korean threats to United States:
The question was asked. "Can North Korea hit the US with Nukes?" The answer is
Yes they can
The warhead of a long-range missile test-fired by North Korea was found in the U.S. state of Alaska, a report to the National Assembly revealed yesterday.
Want a brief history of North Korea's Nuclear Weapons Program?
Read this
The ability to deter a U.S. led invasion and blunt U.S. coercive power is the primary objective of North Korea's nuclear weapons program. North Korea also likely sees its nuclear weapons program as a means to get leverage to extract economic concessions in negotiations with the United States and even its nuclear-armed neighbors, Russia and China. Additionally, North Korea may view nuclear weapons, and particularly the missile systems that complement them, as a valuable export technology.
North Korea began nuclear research in 1964, when Kim Il Sung, the father of the current leader, Kim Jong Il, ordered construction of an atomic energy research complex in Yongbyon, 60 miles north of Pyongyang. In the 1970s, North Korea modernized the facility and began work on a second reactor nearby.
[Update 2]
N Korea's statement in full
We had already taken the resolute action of pulling out of the NPT and have manufactured nukes for self-defence to cope with the Bush administration's evermore undisguised policy to isolate and stifle the DPRK.
Its nuclear weapons will remain nuclear deterrent for self-defence under any circumstances.
The present reality proves that only powerful strength can protect justice and truth.
This article was posted by
Susie dow. Thank you Susie.