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WORLD: N Korea fires two missiles in show of defiance
Paul Thompson and Ed Harris26 May 2009
North Korea responded to international condemnation of its detonation of a powerful underground nuclear bomb today by firing two more shortrange missiles off its east coast.
Yesterday's underground blast, 20 times stronger than its previous one in 2006, was followed by the test firing of three missiles. In a move certain to add to escalating tensions in the region, South Korea said it would join a US-led initiative to intercept ships suspected of carrying weapons of mass destruction — something Pyongyang has warned it would consider a declaration of war.
Barack Obama called Pyongyang's atomic arms programme a threat to international security. He assured South Korean president Lee Myung-bak of Washington's unequivocal commitment, underlining concerns over how far the North might be prepared to raise the stakes. Two million troops are engaged in a tense face along the disputed border between the two Koreas.
The UN Security Council condemned the test at an emergency session last night and was today working on a new resolution.
White House officials said Mr Obama will be meeting National Security advisers and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to plan his course of action. Tough economic sanction are the most favoured option as the US, backed by allies including Britain, China and Russia. The President has already hinted at tougher action in his hastily prepared response from the White House to the nuclear test and firing of short range missiles.
He described North Korea's actions as “reckless” and added that North Korea would not find security or respect through threats and the pursuit of banned weapons.
The bomb was similar in size to that of the atomic bomb that destroyed Hiroshima in 1945. Further meetings today will see the UN demand North Korea return to the six-party talks aimed at eliminating its nuclear programme.
The Communist country pulled out of talks last month after the UN condemned its launch of a long-range missile. With North Korea's leader Kim Jong Il determined to press ahead with his nuclear ambitions, the latest UN resolutions are unlikely to have any effect.
In the six-party talks involving the United States, China, Japan, South Korea and Russia, North Korea agreed in 2007 to scrap its nuclear programmes in return for energy aid.
Former UN ambassador John Bolton said Mr Obama's emphasis on diplomacy rather than confrontation with Pyongyang gave North Korea the excuse it needed to carry out the new nuclear test. “This is a moment of truth for this administration,” he said. “I think this incident really is that famous 3 a.m. call that the presidential candidates debated last year.”
Reader views (14)
Neil you blame the USA but isn't it much more likely to be an ideological ally? eg Russia, China or even Pakistan. Wikipedia suggests that Pakistans AQ Khan supplied the nuclear know how. Then again it must be very comforting to be able to always blame the US for everything. Must make life really simple eh?
- Ethan, UK, 26/05/2009 22:10
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Don't know where you dug that one up Neil unless there is a U and A and an S in Pakistan and Egypt.
- Stephen Rothbart, Prague Czech Republic, 26/05/2009 20:09
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Why can North Korea not have atomic weapons',It will stop them being invaded.What is good for the goose is good for the the gander.
- John, benidorm,spain, 26/05/2009 19:00
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Guess who sold the nuclear technolgy to North Korea? It begins with U, ends in A, and has an S in the middle.
- Neil, London, London, UK, 26/05/2009 17:33
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Russia and Chinas red pawn NKorea has made its move.
Does it not realise the carbon footprint it makes?
Takes some thinking this situation..Its heavy
- Littlepooh, LONDON ENGLAND, 26/05/2009 17:22
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This will soon be put on the back burner becase obama has no answer except huffing and puffing, and UN is useless and run by the third world who want to embarrass USA anyway.
- Frank, ex-England, 26/05/2009 15:06
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Thomas well thought out , lets hope they don't think the same about us
- Adam, london, 26/05/2009 14:37
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Good idea Thomas - and what about all of the innocent people in North Korea who have no choice but to live under this strict government, and what about the surrounding countries. "Nuke the country and be done with it" is such a childish comment to make.
- Natty, London, 26/05/2009 14:02
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Funny how every time some rogue nation does something wrong, Israel is always brought out to be beaten with the same stick. What is wrong with these people that hate Israel so much? Israel has never threatened to use a nuclear device against anyone, unlike Iran, but somehow the two are held up side by side for comparison, even though one nation is a democratic society where religious freedom, feminism, free press, and yes, even Arab MP's are in the government, while the other is a theocratic fascist rogue nation funding most terrorism in the Middle East.
As for North Korea, they are firing missiles, are provocatively threatening the entire Far East, and guess what? Israel has nothing to do with North Korea, so why bring her up?
- Stephen Rothbart, Prague Czech Republic, 26/05/2009 13:51
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Thomas Hayes, you are clearly sympathise with the mediaeval evil that is Taliban hatred of Zionism. You live in a world that believes in progress and freedom, North Korea's links with men like Mugabe and praise of terrorism only cements a shared ignorance and childishness. Kim Jong is a small boy who believes he has more power than he really does, in time the North Korean people will be brought to brink of revolt, its inevitable like a dog pushed into a corner that when they are faced with death and starvation they will force him out. I believe that the UN will not allow this to happen, tactically it would be better if the North attacked but I fear a worse Vietnam if the America and its allies are forced to invade as it would clearly end in disaster. Don't nuke them Thomas from London, save it for when your next in America kid. It will come to heads soon.
- Ben Moore, Shrewsbury, England, 26/05/2009 13:44
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N Korea has every right to build a defence against the US
and its cohorts . Zionist terrorist based Israel of course can have as many WMD as it likes and hold two fingers up to the UN every time. Iraq didn't have them but got invaded just the same and its leader Executed. All in the Zionist cause.
T H Leeds
- Thomas Hayes, Leeds UK, 26/05/2009 12:52
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China? The one country that can do something, wont do anything. They are the ones supplying North Korea.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 26/05/2009 11:32
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Just nuke the country and be done with it.
- Thomas, London, 26/05/2009 10:12
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What are they hoping for WW3?
- Mike, London England, 26/05/2009 09:32
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