IN ITS quest for nuclear weapons, North Korea is a master of braggadocio. On January 6th the dictatorship of Kim Jong Un declared that it had detonated its first-ever hydrogen bomb, and had thus “guaranteed the eternal future of the nation”. But even its more low-key announcement this week that it now intends to launch an “earth observation satellite” some time between February 8th and 25th has caused global jitters.
It is the oldest trick in the nuclear book to pretend that the testing of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) is nothing but a satellite launch. A rocket that can place a large satellite into orbit can just as easily propel a nuclear warhead to the other side of the world.
Japan has placed its forces on high alert. Its defence minister, Gen Nakatani, said they had orders “to shoot down any ballistic missile threat”. South Korea has warned the North that it will “pay a harsh price” if it goes ahead with the launch. America is calling even more loudly for fresh UN sanctions against the North. Even China, North Korea’s ally, said it was “extremely concerned”.
Experts are unsure how much progress North Korea is making with its nuclear-weapons project. North Korea’s boasting is certainly no guide. For example, it is highly unlikely that the detonation in January involved a hydrogen bomb, which is more powerful...Continue reading
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