October 9, 2006: North Korean Nuclear Detonation

Confirming years of apparently justified suspicion, North Korea officially announced on October 3rd, 2006, that it planned to conduct a controlled nuclear arms test. The U.S. and U.N., flabbergasted by North Korea's brazen claim, were compelled to respond somehow.

But in the end, the standoff between the PRC, North Korea, and Russia and the Western nations on the U.N. discouraged any rash reactions. So, 6 days later, North Korea detonated a nuclear warhead underground in underpopulated and clandestine Sangpyong-ri.

Rumor has it that in this first test the warhead "fizzled," producing a significantly smaller blast than it should have. This would explain the observation of U.S. intelligence that North Korea appeared to be preparing for a second nuclear test--perhaps a more successful one. Still, the "fizzle" measured .55 kilotons, which is definitely not something you want going boom in your backyard.

As a matter of fact, I personally dislike any idea of war occurring in my backyard, which is why this event is important to me. The U.S. feels awfully secure and empowered for an economically backward nation that meddles in every other nation's business. In reality, the provocative actions of North Korea could have incited an armed conflict if not for the actions of not the U.S. but North Korea itself. Kim Jong-il allegedly apologized for the nuclear test on October 20th after continuous chastisement from most nations, including its neighbors Japan and South Korea. Kim Jong-il then agreed to return to peace negotiations in the Six-nation Disarmament Talks on October 31, ending the month of paranoia.

Perhaps if the U.S. was not still knee-deep in the longest war in which it has participated--the 10-year occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan, it could have responded to the North Korean threat more confidently. Or maybe it should abandon its army like Japan did and make decent cars for once in 40 years.