Michelle Malkin » Reports: North Korea says it conducted 2nd nuke test; Obama: “Matter of grave concern”

Reports: North Korea says it conducted 2nd nuke test; Obama: “Matter of grave concern”

By Michelle Malkin • May 24, 2009 11:40 PM

Gird your loins, as they say:

North Korea staged a “successful” underground nuclear test, the communist state’s official media said.

The North “successfully conducted another underground nuclear test on May 25 as part of its measures aimed at strengthening its self-defence nuclear deterrent in every way,” the Korean Central News Agency said.

The test will “contribute to safeguarding our sovereignty and socialism and guaranteeing peace and safety on the Korean peninsula and the surrounding region,” it said. The four-paragraph story gave no details of the location. South Korea’s presidential office earlier said that North Korea had appeared to have conducted a nuclear weapons test. The government received a report on the possibility of a nuclear test having been conducted, presidential spokesman Lee Dong-Kwan told a briefing.

He said President Lee Myung-Bak called an emergency National Security Council meeting for Monday afternoon. “Both South Korea and US intelligence authorities are analysing and closely monitoring the situation,” the spokesman said.

(via AFP)

Earthquake sensors picked up the activity. Asian markets are down. Tensions are high:

The North’s official news agency, KCNA, said the country had conducted an “underground “ nuclear test.

The announcement came moments after the South Korean government geological sensors had detected an artificially triggered earth tremor emanating from Gilju, northeast North Korea, said Lee Dong-kwan, spokesman of the office of President Lee Myung-bak of South Korea.

The spokesman said “intelligence officials of South Korea and the United States are analysing the data and closely monitoring the situation.”

Word of the nuclear test sent a shudder through Asian financial markets, with Korea’s stock index plunging four percent within minutes.

North Korea conducted its first nuclear test on Oct., 9, 2006, and had given some advance notice of its intention to test a device. That initial test also was in the northeast.

North Korea recently threatened to conduct a second nuclear test, citing what it called Washington’s “hostilities” against the isolated Communist regime.

The test came against a backdrop of heightened tensions between North Korea and the United States, which keeps a heavy military deployment in South Korea and remains technically at war with the north 56 years after an armistice that halted the Korean War.Two American journalists are due to be tried June 4 in North Korea, charged with illegal entry into the North and “hostile acts.” That case in particular has aggravated tensions between Pyongyang and Washington, which were already strained after the North launched a long-range rocket on April 5.

Related reading: What is Obama cutting from defense? Why, missile defense, natch!

***

Japan to request an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting.

Emergency wrist-slap to follow.

***

Update 2:42am Eastern. This will have Kim Jong Il quaking in his boots!

Text of statement by President Barack Obama on nuclear and short-range missile tests conducted by North Korea.

Today, North Korea said that it has conducted a nuclear test in violation of international law. It appears to also have attempted a short range missile launch. These actions, while not a surprise given its statements and actions to date, are a matter of grave concern to all nations…

…Such provocations will only serve to deepen North Korea’s isolation. It will not find international acceptance unless it abandons its pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.

The danger posed by North Korea’s threatening activities warrants action by the international community. We have been and will continue working with our allies and partners in the Six-Party Talks as well as other members of the U.N. Security Council in the days ahead.

Posted in: North Korea, War

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#707037

On May 26th, 2009 at 1:06 am, Truesoldier said:

Very true Chap. We can not count on Russia or China to go along with anything with any teeth, but at the same time standing by or continuing on with the status quo does not lead to any real resoulution of the situation. If we continue to allow NoKo to thumb their nose at the world we will see more of it (just look to Iran and you will see it).

NoKo is testing Obama to see if they can continue to get their way like they did with both the Bush and Clinton Administrations and so far it is working.

It may not be the popular thing to do, but perhaps an interdiction mission around the Korea Pennisula to stop the flow of the neccessary compnents to be delivered to NoKo for them to continue work on their ballistic missile program.

I am sure that NoKo will consider this an act of war, but eventually you have to put your foot down or the tantrums will continue.

this would not take a UN resoulution and would not even take an act of Congress (to begin with though longterm it would).
#707038

On May 26th, 2009 at 1:06 am, Truesoldier said:

On May 26th, 2009 at 12:53 am, chapoutier said:

They also have some top secret kimchi that will make an enemy soldier WISH they were facing nuclear annihilation.

Talk about torture…OUCH!!! LOL
#707040

On May 26th, 2009 at 1:11 am, chapoutier said:

I am sure that NoKo will consider this an act of war, but eventually you have to put your foot down or the tantrums will continue.

As I indicated before, my concern is less with how NK views it, as war or not, and more with how China views it. Again, while I think China knows it is ultimately in their best interest to have a nuclear free NK, I do think that unilateral action by the US will put them in a position of ratcheting up tensions for no other reason than so as not to appear weak to the US.
#707041

On May 26th, 2009 at 1:13 am, chapoutier said:

And even leaving China totally out of the picture, does our military have sufficient resources to start a war in NK, while continuing them in Iraq and Afghanistan?
#707044

On May 26th, 2009 at 1:18 am, Truesoldier said:

I agree that China does think it would be best if they could be rid of the little tyrant in NoKo (he has hurt them more than helped them), at the same time you could be right that they could ratchet up the tension, the question is would it be rhetoric or reality from them.

As for us going it unilateraly, I am sure there are a few nations that would join in. SoKo would help (as it is ultimately in their best interest) and Japan would help (albeit more through logistics than acutal personnel).
#707045

On May 26th, 2009 at 1:20 am, chapoutier said:

As for us going it unilateraly, I am sure there are a few nations that would join in. SoKo would help (as it is ultimately in their best interest) and Japan would help (albeit more through logistics than acutal personnel).

I meant unilaterally as in without eithern Russia or China backing us. Without one or the other of them, any other country is merely academic in their minds.
#707048

On May 26th, 2009 at 1:26 am, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

Guys, N. Korea can’t launch any nukes against anybody. They did not test a warhead, which is a MUCH more refined and miniaturized thingy.

Or they could buy it from any number of rouge dudes in unstable regimes-Pakistan perhaps, or load a bomb on a sub or a boat and take out someones cities. He could, and has tunneled under the DMZ.They could fly a bomb in a cargo plane. We are talking a nut case here. He reaches across the world to kill enemies, snatches people off the streets of Japan and sells rice during a famine.

We are talking one unstable group of people. N. Korea can deliver nukes the same way they deliver other bombs-Bangkok bombing and the Korean Airlines Bombing Incident In November 1987. Look for the unconventional.
#707051

On May 26th, 2009 at 1:34 am, Ragspierre said:

Or they could buy it from any number of rouge dudes…

Chaps, are you in the trade again…!?!?

But, seriously folks…Arizona is right.

My remark was about some of the posts upstream. Delivery of even a very crude nuke is a real threat. It just isn’t “launching them at Japan”.
#707052

On May 26th, 2009 at 1:36 am, chapoutier said:

We are talking a nut case here. He…sells rice during a famine.

Isn’t that just good smart capitalism? Supply and demand and whatnot?
#707053

On May 26th, 2009 at 1:37 am, Ragspierre said:

Arizona, you have me in tears…!!!

That HAS to be the funniest inadvertent line I’ve read in MONTHS…

Shoot…
#707054

On May 26th, 2009 at 1:39 am, chapoutier said:

Chaps, are you in the trade again…!?!?

I only trade in wit, truth and sunshine.
#707055

On May 26th, 2009 at 1:39 am, Ragspierre said:

Isn’t that just good smart capitalism? Supply and demand and whatnot?

Actually, classical socialism/communism.

Sorry, Chaps, I needed a foil (above)… No offense.
#707056

On May 26th, 2009 at 1:40 am, Ragspierre said:

I guess Mr. Il will just have to find some other rouge dude…
#707073

On May 26th, 2009 at 2:27 am, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

On May 26th, 2009 at 1:36 am, chapoutier said:

We are talking a nut case here. He…sells rice during a famine.

Isn’t that just good smart capitalism? Supply and demand and whatnot?

If you are in the Party I guess-vodka and caviar are expensive–peasants on the bottom might be a tad upset-but they always are, huh?

France is now helping Pakistan with it’s nuclear program–ol’ Kim next? Leave it to the French-the other rouge dudes..
#707077

On May 26th, 2009 at 3:18 am, conservative in europe said:

CCC,

Some, but not a lot of, offense taken. I could tell you my story about the UGA grad who goes to Harvard and the correct use of prepositions. But, I’ve already done it here. Ask Txvet2. (Sorry, one should never start a sentence with “but” – right?)

That’s the way I’ve heard the phrase all my life. I wasn’t “talking above my station.” My overall point, however, was correct and proven so by the fact that Chap didn’t respond.

I’ve been called ignorant and that is probably accurate about a lot of things. Being called arrogant, on the other hand, is incorrect. If I went around picking peanuts out of poo about grammar on this and most of the other boards, I wouldn’t have time to sleep.

Maybe I’m a bit touchy about this but saying “no offense” and then insulting me in the same sentence is out of line.
#707095

On May 26th, 2009 at 5:55 am, William said:

Is there any doubt that the voting public, drugged out on Media Hype, by electing a majority Democrat congress, and an underwhelming, misguided, out of his league narcissistic snob to the Presidency, has all but sealed the fate of the United States of America?

The US is not longer an economic power, as long as China has holds our debt. In the case of North Korea, the US can do little to nothing, and will do little to nothing about it, with The Messiah, the Underwhelming, not-so-intelligent One, Barrack Hussein Obama at the helm.

Instead of working to maintain our sovereignty and solvency, Obama and the Dems, and even the spineless, not-so-conservative Republicans, are putting our nation in deeper debt, and all but totally kissing the feet, and the rear end, of China’s power brokers.

If we are beholding to other nations financially, and if we make little to none of the materials we once made here in the USA, like steel, etc., then how are we supposed to have any leverage against North Korea, Iran, etc.?

We cannot and we will not have that leverage, and China is not worried about the US and her concerns, only that US consumers continue to get bilked by the US government in order to pay interest and financing on China’s loans, and that the US consumer continues to buy Chinese and continue to make China wealthier than, well, wealthier than the USA.

Unless and Until the US gets completely out of debt, until the US and her citizens revert back to the industrious, stick to it, determined, strong, take no crap from anyone nation that won WW II, I don’t see any hope in dealing with North Korea or Iran, especially with Barrack Hussein Obama and the Democrat Congress at the helm, the media in the tank for them, and Hollywood pushing their pabulum and misguided agenda.
#707145

On May 26th, 2009 at 9:23 am, jangar said:

William said:
underwhelming, misguided, out of his league narcissistic snob to the Presidency

You mean fool?

Unless and Until the US gets completely out of debt, until the US and her citizens revert back to the industrious, stick to it, determined, strong, take no crap from anyone nation that won WW II, I don’t see any hope in dealing with North Korea or Iran, especially with Barrack Hussein Obama and the Democrat Congress at the helm, the media in the tank for them, and Hollywood pushing their pabulum and misguided agenda.

It will take an attack of such great magnatude to awake the voting public that I’m afraid it will be way too late. Currently, there is no possible way to fund a defensive posture outside of immediate impeachment.

I’ve got to put most of the blame at the feet of media/tv for the bulk of this mess, plus a heaping dose of ignorance and laziness on Joe Voter.
#707153

On May 26th, 2009 at 9:33 am, Jason L. said:

There’s only one — and ONLY one — reason for this Nuke Test, and the more recent long-range missile test:

We, the United States of America, have a weak President

The North Korean Government knows this. They know that President Obama will pass this off to either Sec’y of State Clinton, to the U.N., or both, and nothing will be done. The USA will not retaliate, will not enact sanctions, will not “punish” the North Koreans in any way, shape, or form. Kim Jongil knows he can get away with this, because the USA has a weak President.

Don’t worry, folks, its just about to get worse. And for all those dozens-of-millions who voted for “Hope and Change”, guess what? The North Korean government is giddy as a newlywed couple on the way to the hotel: They know — as we, GOP-Conservative-Pro-American thinkers, also know — that our President will……do……………nothing. North Korea has had a blank check since January 21st, and be sure, friends, thay they will cash that puppy in….
#707162

On May 26th, 2009 at 9:45 am, Ragspierre said:

CiE; We all fire off those, time to time. I love them, and consider them part of humanity. My kids were flowing streams of them, and I try to retain them bright in my memory.

I try to make it a practice not to correct people on little stuff like that, for one reason, you could have used it intentionally as humor. It is also a level of smart-asp that I didn’t want to get into.
#707981

On May 27th, 2009 at 1:56 am, yohannbiimu said:

Obama: “Matter of grave concern”

Why does this only seem like something that you’d expect anyone to say, but it doesn’t really mean anything because there’s nothing behind it? I mean, I do not think Obama is really concerned about this in any way whatsoever. I mean, he’s been in campaign mode ever since 2004, and he’ll be in that mode until he can’t breathe anymore.

The only thing that this creature is concerned about is his grasp upon the power structure of government over the American people. This is just a side issue that he’ll comment upon when prodded about it, but his main concern is destroying all opposition to his dominion over the United States of America. If Kim Jung Il lobs a few nukes at Japan or someplace along the Western coastline of the North America, that will only strengthen his hold on power. His main enemies are the likes of Rush Limbaugh, Mark Levin, and Sean Hannity…