North Korea's Nuclear Weapons Program

What the hell are they trying to prove with this nuclear program? Hell, they can test missiles all they want but why the hell do they have to be pointed at the US?? Just freaking try em out in the pacific, that way you won't have so many enemies.

Not a threat to us. That is, if we focused more on defense rather than having bases in 150 countries across the world. We're spread too thin to really have any defense, which is why we're so vulnerable. Not even a draft could fix this problem, we need to rethink foreign policy altogether.

This issue has lost some urgency over the short term, given the fact that Kim Jong II has supposedly suffered a major stroke and might not be heard from again. However, who knows what's in store once the chain of command is re-established in that blighted land. Whatever the upshot, North Korea does have nuclear weapons and a delivery system, and has had such for awhile, which makes one wonder why the Handjob administration turned a blind eye and deaf ear to that country while going off half-cocked after a relatively harmless popgun tyrant like Saddam Hussein. North Korea is fairly desperate, and therefore, dangerous. Since it essentially has nothing to lose, and has the ability to cause significant damage to the U.S. West Coast, that country is the gravest threat to American security, not terrorism, yet, this peril doesn't even seem to be on Chimp Boy's radar screen. The middle of January 2009 can't come soon enough...

These fine folk could use some nuclear power, but not weapons. With their rocket tests, they proved that their nuclear program is a greater threat to themselves than to anyone else. Until they show some competence with nuclear technology this issue will probably be addressed at the same lethargic pace that has been standard for several years now.

I would not consider this issue to be a top treat to the World. As any Communist State, N. Korea keeps this aggressive policy more against its own population, than against the world. You cannot keep your citizens on the starvation edge without proper explanation. So, explanation is quite understandable. "We are almost the only democracy left in the World, and we are surrounded by enemies, that want to destray and enslave us." However, nuclear program in corrupted hands is a serious threat, since the weapon can easily get to the terrorists. In Communist country you can buy anything, all is the matter of cost.

I worked in intel in South Korea for a few years, and I know what we're really worried about. North Korea doesn't have that great of capabilities as far as nukes go. Now manpower, THAT I would be worried about. With one of the biggest armies in the world... I'd be a *tad* bit more worried about an invasion on land - to us or South Korea, which is much more likely.

Looks like the multilateral talks the U.S supported worked, I blame Bush!

As easy as Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan?  If those are the benchmarks for "easy", then this just might be the century when we bring it all to a resounding end with the big bang.

I think that a country like North Korea always needs to be under watch, you just can't trust them.  I do agree with some of the people below in saying that they do like the attention they get.  So, I think this could, in the future, become an important issue.

Take it from someone who has spent time on the peninsula. . .NK simply wags a stick every few years to keep in the news (note the strategically-timed tantrum when the world was focused on Iraq) and to keep the train of goodies coming into the country. . .NK should be dealt with, but they historically have been not much more than an irritating buffer between themselves and 25K American troops in South Korea. . .important issue, but overrated considering other problems. . .

Not a complete joke (like Libya's 'weapons program') but massively overblown. Kim is a (talented) extortionist, not a madman. It's more a matter for China and South Korea to deal with. The North Koreans are not our neighbors (thank God) and we've paid them enough extortion money/supplies already; and for what?

North Korea now has nuclear weapons thanks to the technology given to them by Clinton & Albright, their folly has delivered into the hands of the desperate and unpredictable North Korean regime the ability to make nukes, now many insane possibilities are a much bigger reality. Besides the Democrats helping the North Koreans there was also Dr. Khan, the father of Pakistan's nuclear bomb. Dr. Khan helped some Muslim terrorist counties with their nuke programs and he made several trips to North Korea to help them as well. It's amazing how dangerous these Muslim countries are, Dr. Khan's activities someday could turn out to be a unimaginable nightmare come true.

A few days ago, I was with a member of the Cato Institute who claimed that he had read Mr. Mehr Kalami's presentation titled: "Iran:A Crisis Study...Countdown to Global Inferno." He showed me photo copies of several pages and the Cover of that Book since it was a private work meant for certain Insitutes and Organizations both within the U.S. and abroad. Prof. (who requested anonimity) very mildly informed me that Mr. Kalami's suggestion (nearly four years ago in 2002) was very logical that the mullah regime would have a nuclear device by 2010 or at the most before 2015! This appears to be more acceptable compared to what all these "analysts" and experts claim. Today they say "within two years" and next week they claim it would be within five years. Only recently (first week of December 2006) the Defense dept. and the Pentagon stated that the years 2010 and 2012 would be the likely periods when the mullah regime in Tehran would have a nuclear device. Meawhile, these self-styled analysts... Read more

Not at all suprising.This is exactly the kind of behavior smaller countries will exibit when they watch the way the Bush administration handles matters of diplomacy.We had sanctions agaist Iraq,too.Then we had them Surrounded and Disarmed.Then we bombed and invaded them,and now they are having a civil war and things look worse than ever.The Bush administration has INCREASED terrorism exponentially with it's recklessness,and created a climate of fear and hatred unparalelled in history.Now EVERYONE feels they need nukes so we don't do them like we did Iraq.Thanks a lot Dubbaya.

No more war

When I lived next door to former President Alexander Hamilton, he ran the idea of attacking North Korea by me. I said "sure, go with it."....unfortunately, he took a nap and must've forgot. darn!

Kill them before they can kill us.

Rush Limbaugh described Kim Jong-Il perfectly as a "pot-bellied little dictator." I was truly hoping we'd shoot down (or perhaps some other allied nation) Korea's missile to basically slap them down and say "nuh-uh." I honestly don't think they have the guts to actually launch nukes directly at us, but some of the weapons of Hezbollah and Iran (the latter two are also directly connected) come from this nation. This is their current preference it seems, to conduct "shadow warfare," instead of a direct confrontation. And, if they did--they wouldn't last. It should also be noted that even their new Tapeodong-II missile cannot reach the U.S. mainland at this time. But, they are in the Axis of Evil and should be sanctioned again (they hold the record for quickest rejection of UN sanctions--as worthless as they are these days--one hour and forty five minutes) and punished accordingly.

Little ole Korea would never send a nuke against the USA.

Mr. Mehr-Ali Kalami's article reflects certain factualities that can under no circumstance be refuted. This is the absolute truth. It appears that after such a long time, the U.S. authorities, England, France and even Germany are beginning to realize that it could be this puppet regime of the clerics in Tehran would rather create a World War than surrender power to the legitimate people of Iran. Unbiased research has also shown that the majority of the elite in the clergy-run regime are not Iranians. They are a minority sect called "Seyeds" which explicitly means that they are Arabs ruling over the Aryan Iranians! Kalami's article would have no effect whatsoever until and unless there is a surgical and a strategic strike against the mullah regime. More than five nuclear sites scattered throughout the country, twelve terrorist training centers and some twelve ordinance manufacturing units have to be bombed including the so-called Parliament of the clerics together with the residence ... Read more

Eh, they're just trying to stave off invasion. They could be bluffing like Hussein was. Kim Jong Il knows if he actually uses them he and his nation will be nuked off the planet.

Seeing how Kim Jung Il has embarked his nation on suicidal domestic and foreign policies (not to mention has questionable mental stability) it isn't far fetched to imagine him embarking on a suicidal military policy of use of nuclear weapons.

This is a substantial problem for the U.S., seeing as how North Korea is the first mental asylum with nuclear capabilities. I hear that Kim Jong Il is all about saving face, that he wants the U.S. to acknowledge his country, and that he's not going to really launch World War III ... but, then again, I also hear that he claims to be the world's best golfer, and that he records at least 2 hole-in-ones per round played! The point is, assuming the U.S. still has any credibility in the world community, we need to put pressure on Korea to disarm; it's not to any country's advantage (and certainly none of the G8) to allow Kim Jong Il to have these weapons, especially since we're not sure of his motives (or his sanity!).

Disarmaent of nuclear weapons is a very big issue. North Korea dsarming is just part of the issue. America should look at disarming itself before telling other countries to. North Korea is merely defending itself by building nuclear weapons.

I do not like the fact that Korea has developed this technology. It would be good if they would spend energy on other things. Things like electricity, Food,and housing. I think the problem could be ours if we do not stay out of it. I would be in favor of denying we did any thing about it. I do not like it.

Alarming that they will have , if not already have, a dozen or so nukes, which they can sell to the highest bidder or keep as deterrent and a big bargaining chip. dont know if there is anything the US or anyone can really do about it at this point. They have the weapons. We just have to hope that, like the Soviets during the cold war, the threat of massive retaliation from the the west will keep N Korea from using or selling the nukes.

North Korea insists to have a nuclear device just for the simple reason to stand up and be counted. The degree of threat from this poverty stricken Marxist State albeit real is not as dangerous as posed by the unpopular and disliked clergy-run regime in Tehran. There (in Tehran), the mullah-regime has ostensibly chosen to go nuclear is a part of a plan of the regime to have a bargaining chip in case of a political criis, either from abroad or from within, to topple it. The world is well aware of the political skullduggery of the regime. What needs to be done vis-a-vis the regime is to determindedly and seriously confront it both from within as well as from abroad, weaken the regime and finally topple it. How? By openly supporting constructive opposition groups; chiefly the Nationalists, Royalists and the Students' Movement for Democracy both financially and materially. The elimination of this extremely monstrous regime will immediately have a two pronged effect throughout the wold. ... Read more

WHO CARES? As long as their weaponry isn't pointed at the US...who cares?

If you have nuclear weapons you can't expect others not to develop them. Simple really.

We need to kick them in the balls and take the nukes away.

Beano is correct. And North Korea has one other problem in addition to those mentioned here: China. Nice, kitty. If the Chinese get any indication of a problem, North Korea will suddenly turn up missing.

I frankly don't care every nation has a right to defend themselves against their enemies. There is a reason why we won't bother North Korea. because they will fight back as you should.

North Korea is another dangerous, crummy country with evil leadership who has been wrongly accused of being the threat Iraq is by people who don't dig Bush.

Simply put...this has the potential for some real big conflicts in the years to come! Instead of sending our soldiers over there to lose their lives to eradicate NK's nuclear capabilities, let's just nuke them first! Quick, easy, and no mess!

North Korea's Nuclear Weapons Program would have been a five star political issue for the U.S. some months ago, but it seems as though things have simmered down a bit recently. Some things to consider: First, partisans like to blame the Clinton Administration for much of the current situation, but his actions must not be judged in hindsight. His policies were a good faith attempt to handle the matter without too much saber rattling, and this attempt should have been made (though perhaps it could have been done better). Second, the U.S. can walk and chew gum at the same time and N. Korea and Iraq are entirely different situations notwithstanding any real or perceived similarities, so claiming the Bush Administration should or must concentrate on the former rather than the latter is not really a solution to either. Moreover, it seems clear that N. Korea must be handled diplomatically leaving the military available for other problems (eg Iraq). Third, and most importantly, if diploma... Read more

An embarrassment for Clinton. Gave N. Korea a nuclear reactor to avoid dealing with heart of the issue in 1995. N. Korea tries this again with GW in 2002 and they get a resounding no. The right approach to N. Korea is not to enable the regime but to promote its peaceful demise. Bush is on top of this one as well. N. Korea will eventually collapse on itself.

This problem will not go away without direct talks. N. Korea is just like China -- they must be engaged directly, not avoided.

It's a transparent ploy to draw money from the US. This problem should have been tended starting in about 1994. Get rid of their programs, get rid of their leader(politely if possible) then construct a well organized politically sound internationally sanctioned fence. Finally, buy a good set of ear plugs to deaden the sound of the whinning the will start both here and abroad. It's time to put a stop to these evil leaders that use their own people for profit and power. It's a dreadful thought to think how many such countries exist today.

Time to go wipe out the North Koreans.

This is a very important crisis that has been brewing for years now. The problems that we are having with North Korea now stem from the Clinton Administration's policy toward the island. In hindsight, we see that President Clinton's 1994 Framework Agreement was a failure and did nothing to solve the North Korean problem. It allowed the government of North Korea to continue its nuclear program using the resources that it got out of the 1994 agreement. Now more than ever, North Korea poses not only a serious threat to our troops stationed in South Korea but to the world as a whole. I do not agree with those who say that we should pull our troops out of South Korea. If we did, the government of South Korea would surely fall, and thus, North Korea's power would be extended. I do believe that the Bush Administration should take this situation seriously, and it doesn't seem to be doing so. We must understand the fundamentals of this crisis. The North Koreans are not like the Muslim fundament... Read more

Huge problem. But the oil is in Iraq and the Iraqis can't fight back.

This is way too specific to be an important US political issue. Our approach to nuclear proliferation in general should be debated, but I am not more afraid of North Korea's bombs than I am of China's, Israel's or India's bombs. We must not base our policies on hysteria.

A bit bad. something would have to be done. I think America shoud let Russia and China sort it out. Afterall, it was American rhetoric (Axis of Evil) that destabilised the situation into this latest problem. Prior to Boy George becoming President, South Korea was engaged in a 'Sunshine Policy' of reconciliation, which was making progress, until Bush made them stop. Silly old Bush, what a fool he is.

Well, it could be our problem, but if handled effectively it will be China's problem! No reason to waste our time on it!

South Korea should be a primary concern for America, not Iraq. South Korea is a country with far more capabilties than Iraq, and their infrastructure has never been decimated.

Watch 'em like a hawk and nuke 'em if they try anything.

we better watch this problem is going to happen if we don't

the only reason that north korea is threatening us and all that stuff is because bush is a hypacritical dictator who threatens every country that threatens to stand up the the United States dictatorship and yes, i do really believe that the united states is a dictatorship and that bush was not elected but appointed

Its a legitimate issue. But way blwon out of proportion. All Kim Jong Il wants is money and attention. But still, the power of a nuclear weapon will ALWAYS scare me, but I trust we will do the right thing.

This is really a crisis, no matter what the government says. They pose a great threat only to our soldiers in South Korea. None of thier missiles could reach us, so Im not that worried. I dont really care about protecting South Korea- about 85% of thier population hates us. We should either put soldiers in the area and blow up the reacter, or just take all of our guys out of there. We should NOT sign any non aggresion pact with these communist bastards- it'll show that we are a weak nation who DOES negotiate with terrorists.