Monday, October 09, 2006
PROSPEROUS NATION TESTS WISDOM BOMB
NorKo goes nuclear:
North Korea carried out an underground nuclear test on Monday, North Korea’s Central News Agency (KCNA) said.
"The field of scientific research in the DPRK (North Korea) successfully conducted an underground nuclear test under secure conditions on October 9, Juche 95 (2006) at a stirring time when all the people of the country are making a great leap forward in the building of a great prosperous powerful socialist nation.
"It has been confirmed that there was no such danger as radioactive emission in the course of the nuclear test as it was carried out under a scientific consideration and careful calculation.
"The nuclear test was conducted with indigenous wisdom and technology 100 percent."
At least one Sydney Morning Herald reader shares North Korea’s delight:
It’s very refreshing to see someone sticking it in the eye of America and Israel. I would encourage Iran to continue as well. We are not falling for the propaganda that is spun up by George W. Bush any more. The world will only get safer the more we deter America from pushing us around. This seems to be the only language they understand. Let’s keep the ball rolling.
UPDATE. Condemnation from John Howard:
John Howard has called for UN sanctions against North Korea, and has proposed trade and travel restrictions as world outrage grows at the Stalinist regime’s announcement of a nuclear test today.
"I am advised that there is seismic confirmation that North Korea conducted a nuclear test earlier today,” the Prime Minister told parliament.
"In those circumstances I would condemn, and I would assume I would have the unanimous agreement of the House in doing so, the test in the strongest possible terms."
UPDATE II. Further reaction.
UPDATE III. From the official NorKo government website:
Pervading the entire army are the spirit of defending the leader at the risk of one’s life, the spirit of becoming human bombs and shells, and the spirit of suicidal explosion for the leader.
Even North Korea’s army wants Ronry Kim to kill himself. Speaking of whom ...
UPDATE IV. The Guardian’s Simon Tisdall:
The residual idea that the US could one day impose regime change on North Korea by military force died a death when Pyongyang’s bomb went off today.
UPDATE V. The Australian asks: “How do you think the world should respond?” Keith Russell’s answer:
Send wheat.
ROFL, as they say. More reader reaction at The Age, although comments here are measurably less insane.