News Stories

[Shadow Kira01]

Originally Posted by KimmyChan

Hundreds gather to see 'UFO' -

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8066061.stm

Masterminded the show? So, that colorful object is a fake?

What a disappointment...

[Green²]

North Korea says conducted nuclear test
http://www.reuters.com/article/world...54O09T20090525

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea said it had successfully conducted a nuclear test on Monday, raising the explosive power and level of control of its nuclear device to a new level.

"We have successfully conducted another nuclear test on May 25 as part of the republic's measures to strengthen its nuclear deterrent," the North's official KCNA news agency said.

[KimmyChan]

North Korea conducts nuclear test -

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asi...ic/8066615.stm

[Vexx]

Well, the people who monitor global earthquakes say the tremor readings are consistent with a nuclear detonation.... :P

[yezhanquan]

Ex-President Roh's suicide gave N.Korea an opportunity to do their stuff while the South is disorientated. Talk about a windfall.

[Shadow Kira01]

Originally Posted by Green²

North Korea says conducted nuclear test
http://www.reuters.com/article/world...54O09T20090525

They actually tested it...?

It is definitely outrageous.

[SaintessHeart]

Originally Posted by Vexx

Well, the people who monitor global earthquakes say the tremor readings are consistent with a nuclear detonation.... :P

According to this, the explosion should have 5.6 KT of TNT, which is around 5 times larger than a small atomic bomb*.

I supposed that they are trying to build something close to that of the Trinity Site one (20KT), but they screwed it up with probably impure uranium or badly made parts.

* - The ones dropped in Japan are around 18-20 KT, so this "small atomic bomb" probably meant a SADM with around 1KT worth of TNT, which is 2x the amount of explosives in a Davy Crockett.

[Vexx]

The bombs dropped on Hiroshima/Nagasaki had effective yields that are considered "small tactical nukes" by today's standards. One air launched cruise missile or short-range attack missile can easily exceed 15-20kT by a *huge* margin. A single B-52 can carry 20 such missiles plus a gravity load (made up of Big Ugly F***ers).

So basically even assuming they've blown up a real nuke rather than a very big pile of TNT, its still very symbolic. The real danger is of North Korea selling such a thing to the Real Loonies with no moral qualms about using one (zealots).

[LeoXiao]

Originally Posted by yezhanquan

Ex-President Roh's suicide gave N.Korea an opportunity to do their stuff while the South is disorientated. Talk about a windfall.

No, it was probably a coincidence, because a nuclear test by North Korea would've taken some preparation, and they couldn't of planned it for his death unless they also planned his death in advance, if you know what i mean...

[TooPurePureBoy]

The real danger is of North Korea selling such a thing to the Real Loonies with no moral qualms about using one (zealots).

Doesn't the "dear leader" always talk about how he's beaten Micheal Jordan in basketball and that he plays golf with a better handicap than Tiger Woods? You know, the one who thinks he's the lead in a Tarantino movie? Oh ya he's not loony. (don't worry Vexx I know what point you were making and I agree just thought it was kinda funny that Kim Jong isnt included amongst the real loonies )

[Shadow Kira01]

N. Korea must suffer consequences for N-test

North Korea should face severe sanctions for their recent actions in regards to nuclear bomb testing, as well as missile launching once again. Considering that nothing was done to pressure North Korea from making the wrong moves again last time thanks to China's "show some self-restraint" attitudes, North Korea got really motivated into testing it again and this time, they tested a nuke which isn't surprising considering that they had only kicked out the IAEA members just a few weeks ago but I didn't think they would tested it so soon.

This time around, I have my doubts that anything can be done once again because China is now asking the world to show some "calm and cool-headed approach" as opposed to "showing some self-restraint" which is actually the same thing with a different wording. Although it would really be sweet if Japan can seek the support of China against North Korea but considering that North Korea is being motivated and encouraged by China to be carrying out these recent actions of hostility, I think seeking their support is somewhat idealistic and naive as that it most likely will not happen.

Getting the United States on the side of Japan isn't much of an action because the United States is definitely on the side of Japan considering that North Korea's nuclear ambitions and capability is now a threat to the national security of the United States, as well as Japan and possibly other nations who are unwilling to turn a blind eye. I have my doubts that North Korea would actually nuke and destroy Korea Republic because their goals are to obtain the economy of them for their own use and that destroying it would be counter-productive. Generally, South Korea is safe from North Korean nukes but infantry fires cannot be avoided if things go wrong.

Luckily, North Korea decided to take the challenge of testing their nukes and missiles while the world is gathered at ASEM; I believe North Korea is doing this intentionally to see how the world reacts because with China backing them, Kim Jong-il probably believes that even if the world is united on this issue, nothing can be done to stop them or prevent them from doing it again implying that North Korea will most likely have a second nuclear test and a third missile launch within the upcoming weeks to months. With this knowledge and truth in mind, I am quite curious as to how the world will deal with North Korea now.. Although I am hopeful that North Korea will abandon their nuclear ambitions and will release the abductees someday but I am no where near being optimistic. It will not happen but they world mustn't give up either. Sounds contradicting but its the way things are in the world. It would be awful if China actually manages to negotiate the United States and Japan into a second press statement against North Korea's military activities.

[Kamui4356]

Yay more North Korea idiocy. Discussing the political implications of this probably won't go anywhere, so I'll just comment on the technical side.

Five kilotons? Looks like they did better than last time, but they still haven't even reached the firepower of the very first nuclear devices. The big question is why. There are a few possibilities that come to mind. First, we should consider if that's all the nuclear material they have. If they're building them that small deliberatly, it might indicate a lack of fissiable material. They might simply not have enough to make a bigger bomb, which also suggests they can't build another nuke right away. That's probably wishful thinking though. Another possibility was suggested already, impurities in the nuclear material could be interfering in the chain reaction. Another possibility is they nuclear material is fine, but they're failing to trigger the explosives properly, leaiding to an uneven implosion. Though in this case they could use a gun type bomb rather than an implosion type. It is always possible that they intended to make a nuke around this size. After all, they don't need a big one to hit Seoul and cause a lot of damage. Plus a nuke that size may have more tactical use. In that case it's possible they're making them that size not to work as a deterrent, but as a weapon they'd actually use.

[Vexx]

It'd probably fit on a truck just fine which is all the delivery mechanism they need to commit cultural suicide :P

I'd like to think the ones really in charge know the score but there is the danger they've actually drank the kool-aid they serve up to their 'citizens'.

[Thingle]

Originally Posted by Kamui4356

Yay more North Korea idiocy. Discussing the political implications of this probably won't go anywhere, so I'll just comment on the technical side.

Five kilotons? Looks like they did better than last time, but they still haven't even reached the firepower of the very first nuclear devices. The big question is why. There are a few possibilities that come to mind. First, we should consider if that's all the nuclear material they have. If they're building them that small deliberatly, it might indicate a lack of fissiable material. They might simply not have enough to make a bigger bomb, which also suggests they can't build another nuke right away. That's probably wishful thinking though. Another possibility was suggested already, impurities in the nuclear material could be interfering in the chain reaction. Another possibility is they nuclear material is fine, but they're failing to trigger the explosives properly, leaiding to an uneven implosion. Though in this case they could use a gun type bomb rather than an implosion type. It is always possible that they intended to make a nuke around this size. After all, they don't need a big one to hit Seoul and cause a lot of damage. Plus a nuke that size may have more tactical use. In that case it's possible they're making them that size not to work as a deterrent, but as a weapon they'd actually use.

If Kim-jong-il were only a non-comical dictator who lives like a god among men and if North Korea were a democracy I'm all for them having nukes. But they're not.

[KimmyChan]

United fans begin Rome journeys -

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/m...er/8067693.stm

[killer3000ad]

Following hot on the heels of their nuke test, the North Koreans have now launched short range missiles from it's east coast.
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/as...est/index.html

[KimmyChan]

Couple's 81st wedding anniversary -

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/8067752.stm

How lovely & romantic!!!

[yezhanquan]

Originally Posted by LeoXiao

No, it was probably a coincidence, because a nuclear test by North Korea would've taken some preparation, and they couldn't of planned it for his death unless they also planned his death in advance, if you know what i mean...

Well, I did say that it was a windfall for N. Korea. The coincidence played right into their plans.

[KimmyChan]

Museum for Belgium's cartoon hero -

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8067583.stm

[SaintessHeart]

Originally Posted by Kamui4356

Yay more North Korea idiocy. Discussing the political implications of this probably won't go anywhere, so I'll just comment on the technical side.

Five kilotons? Looks like they did better than last time, but they still haven't even reached the firepower of the very first nuclear devices. The big question is why. There are a few possibilities that come to mind. First, we should consider if that's all the nuclear material they have. If they're building them that small deliberatly, it might indicate a lack of fissiable material. They might simply not have enough to make a bigger bomb, which also suggests they can't build another nuke right away. That's probably wishful thinking though. Another possibility was suggested already, impurities in the nuclear material could be interfering in the chain reaction. Another possibility is they nuclear material is fine, but they're failing to trigger the explosives properly, leaiding to an uneven implosion. Though in this case they could use a gun type bomb rather than an implosion type. It is always possible that they intended to make a nuke around this size. After all, they don't need a big one to hit Seoul and cause a lot of damage. Plus a nuke that size may have more tactical use. In that case it's possible they're making them that size not to work as a deterrent, but as a weapon they'd actually use.

I am not sure if it is a 5.6KT bomb that exploded, but the destructive power of it exploding underground GENERATES that kind of power. News reports indicate around 20KT was exploded underground, but I think it would only be around 3/4 or even half the yield (that would depend on how deep they exploded it).

Let's just drop a nuke on them. Enough talking, seriously.