Monday, January 11, 2016

Fall-Out From North Korea's Nuclear Test Continues

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un salutes during a visit to the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces on the occasion of the new year, in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on January 10, 2016. REUTERS/KCNA

Reuters: North Korea overcomes poverty, sanctions with cut-price nukes

North Korea has developed a nuclear weapons program despite poverty and international sanctions, using home-grown technology and virtually free labor to cut costs, experts said.

South Korean government analysis has put North Korea's nuclear spending at $1.1 billion to $3.2 billion overall, although experts say it is impossible to make an accurate calculation given the secrecy surrounding the program, and estimates vary widely.

However, the weapons that North Korea has tested thus far are comparatively small and based mostly on less sophisticated fission, or atomic bomb, technology.

The isolated North's claim that its fourth and most recent test, conducted last week, was of a more advanced and powerful hydrogen bomb has been widely doubted, although experts said it is possible Pyongyang took the intermediate step of boosting an atomic bomb with hydrogen isotopes.

More News On North Korea's Nuclear Test 

North Korea's Kim Jong-un tells scientists to build better nuclear weapons -- The Guardian/AP
Kim Jong Un calls for bigger bombs: ‘North Korea has every political and technical reason to test nuclear devices’ -- Bloomberg
North Korea's Kim boosts propaganda in praise of nuke test -- AP
North Korea calls U.S. 'stupid' for nuclear bomber exercise -- UPI
North Korea: US forces in South put on highest level of alert; allies discuss 'strategic assets' -- ABC News Australia
U.S. may send more strategic weapons to Korean peninsula: South Korea -- Reuters
China says 500 personnel measuring radiation along North Korea border -- Reuters
Whatever North Korea Tested, Its Nuclear Ambitions Remain Clear -- Sam Kim, Bloomberg

3 comments:

Bob Huntley said...

His guard carrying two swords to protect the leader while he walks in front of apparently armed military. The guard is doing the goose step. It must be really had to do the goose step but not go in front of the dawdling leader taking normal steps. One of them is sure to trip on that fold in the red carpet and then mayhem will break out. I can see a scene from a Hollywood movie as the leader trips and falls,the guard stands over him with the swords up and ready while ten thousand soldiers, including the guard try hard to not laugh. A Chevy Chase scene for sure.

Jay Farquharson said...

It's a sword in his right hand, and a sheath on his left side. The left hand holds the gape of the sheath to prevent the sheath from swaying and penduluming, ruining the precision of the March.

The sword is held naked in the right hand, so that every unit's salute, can be returned by a sharp right turn, a March to the front of the unit, sudden halt, coming to attention, raising the sword in a snap salute, lowering the sword, doing an about face and marching back to the line of attention.

It's a military presentation tradition dating back to the early 1800's common in most militaries.

Bob Huntley said...

Thanks I guess I wasn't around in the 1800's nor have i studied military presentation tradition. Thanks for the info.