North Korea nuclear: State claims first hydrogen bomb test

[lostinblue 1,989]

North Korea nuclear: State claims first hydrogen bomb test

North Korea says it has successfully carried out its first underground test of a hydrogen bomb - a more powerful weapon than an atomic bomb.

If true it would be its fourth nuclear test since 2006 and mark a huge advance in its nuclear capabilities.

The announcement was swiftly criticised by world leaders with South Korea calling it "a grave provocation to our national security".

But there has been no independent confirmation of the North's claim yet.

Can North Korea now launch a nuclear missile?

Despite North Korea's claims, experts are sceptical that North Korea can make a nuclear weapon small enough to fit on a missile.

What do we know about the latest test?

Observers agree a nuclear explosion of some kind took place and it seems to have been a bit bigger than the last test in 2013, but not nearly big enough to be a full thermonuclear explosion - an "H-bomb" - as Pyongyang claims.

Why can't the world stop them?

North Korea has a determination to defy both world opinion and heavy sanctions to reach their nuclear goal. Crucially, its main ally, China, has proved either unwilling or unable to help.

Suspicion an underground test had been carried out was first raised after the US Geological Survey detected unusual seismic activity at 10:00 Pyongyang time (01:30 GMT) - in the north-east of the country,

A 5.1 magnitude tremor was detected about 50km (30 miles) from Kilju city, near the Punggye-ri nuclear site, which monitors said was likely not natural.

Hours later, in a surprise announcement, a newsreader on North Korean state TV said: "The republic's first hydrogen bomb test has been successfully performed at 10:00 am on January 6, 2016."

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had said last month that Pyongyang had developed a hydrogen bomb, although many experts were sceptical.

It could be days or weeks before independent tests are able to verify or dismiss the recent claim.

Hours before the seismic activity, South Korean media reported that Pyongyang had test-fired a ballistic missile from a submarine in late December. It is unclear whether the test was successful or not.

North Korea said in May it had conducted a similar successful submarine launch.

A hydrogen bomb would be a step up in destructive power from previous tests. It gives more explosive power for a lighter weight.

After the last test, in 2013, there was widespread condemnation. The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting at which its members, including China, "strongly condemned" it. Similar outrage is expected this time. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan has said this was a "serious threat" to the safety of his nation.

On top of any fourth nuclear test, North Korea also appears to have tested a submarine-launched missile. The ability to launch missiles from submarines would change the whole calculation of military response because warning times of an attack on, for example, the West Coast of the United States would be much shorter.

Before the test, North Korean state media said the country "deserved to hold nuclear weapons... to counter nuclear threats by the US".

Experts had believed North Korea was still some years from being able to hit a target with a nuclear bomb delivered by a missile. But it is crystal clear that it is absolutely determined to be able to do so. It is also clear that it is improving its abilities rapidly.

How advanced is North Korea's nuclear programme?

North Korea's nuclear tests

Strong reaction started pouring in after the North Korean announcement of the hydrogen bomb test, with South Korea saying it was a serious challenge to global peace and a violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

China, North Korea's main ally, said it "firmly opposes" the test saying it was carried out "irrespective of the international community's opposition".

The Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said it was a threat to Japan's safety and could not be tolerated. The US called on North Korea to abide by its international commitments and obligations saying it would respond to provocations.

After previous tests, the international community has responded with economic and political sanctions.

The United Nation Security Council plans to hold a meeting of its members on Wednesday.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35240012

Speech by Bill Clinton on 21 October 1994 on how the world is a safer place based on the "good deal" with North Korea, preventing it from obtaining nuclear weapons.

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

You just can't trust a Muslim state

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

The blast was 6 kilotons - that is smaller than Hiroshima. The triggers alone for an H bomb need to be at least twice that power and likely much larger.

*not* an H bomb.

[Operator 1,927]

The blast was 6 kilotons - that is smaller than Hiroshima. The triggers alone for an H bomb need to be at least twice that power and likely much larger.

*not* an H bomb.

'It takes an A-bomb to detonate an H-bomb.'

Good article here

[ExPatty 502]

So NK lied again, no surprise. However, I find the US' stance on this rather humorous in fact. The US' official position, reiterated today, is that it will not accept a nuclear NK. And yet, there is one. Imagine that. Granted, it still poses no threat outside its borders, with an antiquated military that would be obliterated in any standoff, and it has no way to reliably project those nuclear weapons, plus an unequivocal guarantee it would be smashed to death if it ever used one.

I hope in my lifetime the NK regime can all be put in front of the gun, for the injustice they promulgate is without its equal in the modern world. Not since the Soviet Union have so many been so badly treated for so long.

Last comment: The Interview, released a year ago, is quite a good movie. Not as good as I had hoped, but worth watching, and unbelievably (literally) Kim is almost endearing in the movie, a fun friendly guy (he has since gone on to play the father in Fresh Off The Boat).

Edited January 7, 2016 by ExPatty

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

One conspiracy theory is that it was really a test by Iran done in North Korea

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

One conspiracy theory is that it was really a test by Iran done in North Korea

It's Bush's fault

[Dashinka 24,635]

I think those in the ROK, Japan, and China would disagree that they pose no threat beyond their borders, but agree that the US and UN stance is baffling. Maybe Obama can use the Iran deal as a new framework for six party talks with the DPRK.

[ExPatty 502]

I think those in the ROK, Japan, and China would disagree that they pose no threat beyond their borders, but agree that the US and UN stance is baffling. Maybe Obama can use the Iran deal as a new framework for six party talks with the DPRK.

I guess threat is relative. NK certainly poses no threat to the US mainland now, nor will it ever. It could get belligerent and in a final act of defiance cause some deaths to one of its neighboring countries, but it would be a suicidal act.

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Somewhat off topic but I actually read most or all of this when it first came out: an in depth analysis of north korea's army and a dismissal of its ability to wipe seoul off the map. Not relevant to their nuclear situation, but the topic comes up when NK is mentioned: http://nautilus.org/napsnet/napsnet-special-reports/mind-the-gap-between-rhetoric-and-reality/

[Dashinka 24,635]

I guess threat is relative. NK certainly poses no threat to the US mainland now, nor will it ever. It could get belligerent and in a final act of defiance cause some deaths to one of its neighboring countries, but it would be a suicidal act.

---

Somewhat off topic but I actually read most or all of this when it first came out: an in depth analysis of north korea's army and a dismissal of its ability to wipe seoul off the map. Not relevant to their nuclear situation, but the topic comes up when NK is mentioned: http://nautilus.org/napsnet/napsnet-special-reports/mind-the-gap-between-rhetoric-and-reality/

Thanks for the link, very informative. I have been to the ROK several times and have enjoyed each visit. On one visit we went up to the border area and saw several bridges with warnings on them regarding the potential destruction in the event of an incursion. We even went down into one of the tunnels the DPRK dug under the DMZ. I commented to my SK friend that it is amazing, the NKs dug an approximately five mile long tunnel through solid granite, and the SKs turned it into a tourist attraction. Capitalism will always win.