North Korea Reneges On Nuclear Agreement -- No One Should Be Surprised

A digitalglobe satellite image shows a nuclear facility in Yongbyon, North Korea September 29, 2004. REUTERS/Digital Globe

N Korea Reneges On Nukes — Again -- Time Magazine

The two-sentence statement, straightforward and clear as a bell, came from the North Korean foreign ministry on Aug. 26. "We have decided to immediately discontinue the disablement of our nuclear facilities that has been under way in accordance with the Oct. 3 [6-party] agreement. We will consider taking actions to quickly restore the Yongbyon nuclear facilities at the strong request of our related institutions." (Read: the North Korean military.)

And in Seoul and in Washington, the reaction was the same. Not: 'Oh no! What do we do now? The North has pulled out of the nuclear deal!' But rather: 'Here we go again...'

Read more ....

More News On North Korea

US shrugs off North Korean disablement halt -- AP
Russia 'regrets' North Korea's halt in nuclear disablement -- International Herald Tribune
US accuses North Korea of violating nuclear accord -- Yahoo News/AFP
North Korea suspends dismantling of nuclear facilities -- Yahoo News/McClatchy Washington Bureau
North Korea threatens to renew nuclear program -- Christian Science Monitor
Russia Urges North Korea to Finish Disabling Nuclear Facilities -- Voice Of America
North Korea to Stay on Terrorism Blacklist, U.S. Says (Update2) -- Bloomberg
North Korea still holds plutonium card: analysts -- Yahoo News/Reuters
North Korea Aid Unaffected by Nuclear Delay, South Korea Says -- Bloomberg

My Comment: Cannot say that I am surprised. Their behavior is so predictable now .... I am usually right within a few weeks on what North Korea will do. Fortunately for us, the leaders of North Korea do not have a death wish. But unfortunately for the people of North Korea, famine and destitution will be the state of affairs for them this winter.

North Korea Destroys Tower at Nuclear Plant

The demolition on Friday of the cooling tower at
the reactor complex in Yongbyon, North Korea.

From Yahoo News:

YONGBYON, North Korea - North Korea destroyed the most visible symbol of its nuclear weapons program Friday, blasting apart the cooling tower at its main atomic reactor in a sign of its commitment to stop making plutonium for atomic bombs.

An explosion at the base of the cylindrical structure sent the tower collapsing into a cloud of white and gray smoke that billowed into blue skies as international journalists and diplomats looked on, according to video footage filmed by international video news agency Associated Press Television News.

Read more ....

News On North Korea From Other Sources:
North Korea destroys nuclear tower -- Times Online
North Korea Destroys Tower at Nuclear Plant -- New York Times
North Korea blows up reactor cooling tower -- Reuters
North Korea Says No To Nukes -- Pajamas Media
U.S. to Delist North Korea As Sponsor Of Terrorism -- Washington Post
N. Korea destroys nuclear reactor tower -- CNN
ANALYSIS-North Korea to reap benefits from South as ties thaw -- Reuters

My Comment: The original atomic scientists have always maintained a "doomsday clock", I can safely say that the clock will move back (a bit) from midnight after this North Korean gesture.