Another rib-tickler from the God-kingEVER since North Korea first tested a nuclear bomb, in 2006, it has repeatedly thumbed its nose at those seeking to halt its nuclear programme. Three more tests followed, in 2009, 2013 and January this year. Sooner or later, North Korea was expected to conduct a fifth test.
It came sooner than expected: on September 9th, a mere eight months after the previous test. It was also much bigger, with an explosive yield roughly twice the previous one, at 10-12 kilotons. Both these facts are alarming. Three of the North’s five tests have occurred under the leadership of Kim Jong Un (pictured), who came to power in 2011 on the death of his father, Kim Jong Il. Mr Kim has also conducted ballistic-missile tests at a frenzied pace: 22 so far this year. That is more than in the entire 18 years of his father’s rule.
Mr Kim’s boast in January that he had tested a hydrogen bomb is seen as bluster. Many of the missiles have fizzled after take-off. Still, one was successfully launched in August from a submarine, and three, fired simultaneously this month into the Sea of Japan (East Sea), all landed close together....Continue reading
from Asia http://ift.tt/2cLWmXd
EmoticonEmoticon