by Mark Silva
President Barack Obama, calling North Korea's reported underground nuclear test a "matter of grave concern,'' said early today that not only this, but also the apparent testing of another short-range missile "warrants action by the international community.''
Pyonyang announced that it had successfully completed an underground nuclear test, "as the secretive regime continues efforts to bolster its nuclear capabilities after a rocket test launch in April,'' the L.A. Times' John Glionna reports from Seoul. The South Korean government also confirmed that North Korea had test-fired a short-range missile
"Today, North Korea said that it has conducted a nuclear test in violation of international law,'' Obama said in a statement issue at about 1 am EDT today. "It appears to also have attempted a short range missile launch. These actions, while not a surprise given its statements and actions to date, are a matter of grave concern to all nations. North Korea's attempts to develop nuclear weapons, as well as its ballistic missile program, constitute a threat to international peace and security.
"By acting in blatant defiance of the United Nations Security Council, North Korea is directly and recklessly challenging the international community,'' Obama said. "North Korea's behavior increases tensions and undermines stability in Northeast Asia. Such provocations will only serve to deepen North Korea's isolation.
"It will not find international acceptance unless it abandons its pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery,'' said. "The danger posed by North Korea's threatening activities warrants action by the international community. ''
The Obama White House is voicing continuing willingness to make the so-called Six-Party talks among China, Japan, Russia, the United States and the two Koreas work. But the matter also is cause for discussion in the U.N. Security Council as well, it said.
"The developments follow months of tension during which North Korea has repeatedly rejected international pleas to abandon its burgeoning nuclear program,'' Glionna reports. "Analysts say Pyongyang was irate over criticism by the U.S., Japan and South Korea of its April rocket launch and has grown impatient at the lack of attention it has received from the Obama administration -- both possible motives for today's action.
"The international community expressed shock at the new developments, which came as another blow to international efforts to dismantle the communist nation's nuclear program. North Korea is thought to have enough weaponized plutonium to make more than half a dozen bombs, analysts say.'' Read more about North Korea's nuclear test.
Comments
Would think Iran and Israel would be a bigger threat. wonder if anything to do with Obam's Egypt speech in June.
Posted by: Inky | May 25, 2009 9:51 AM
This is North Korea's way of saying:
Happy Memorial Day, USA!
To which I say:
Remember Bataan, Okinawa, Pork Chop Hill.
Americans better get down on their knees today and thank the WW II and Korean War Veterans.
Without whom you would be speaking German, Japanese and probably Korean today.
Posted by: ornery | May 25, 2009 10:53 AM
Not sure why you'd think "Iran and Israel" would be a bigger threat. Haven't seen any nuclear detonations coming from Iran or Israel in the last 10 years, have you? N. Korea is heading down a very scary road. Its leader is in the end stages of his life; the country is growing desperate; the leadership values maintaing its power above all else. Things do not look good at all.
Don't expect anything to happen though. More talk. More useless resolutions. More stalling by China & Russia.
Military action against NK is needed. Period. There should be a US-led invasion, followed by a truly global UN period of occupation and power restructuring, with supervisory control by the US, Japan, India, and China (US having veto over the other three).
Enough.
Posted by: Joe Fournier | May 25, 2009 10:56 AM
The US will do nothing except talk. We can't afford to buck the Chinese any more since they are taking over our place as the world's superpower, soon economically and shortly afterward militarily. Get used to it as we become the North American version of Argentina.
Posted by: Steelpedler | May 25, 2009 11:09 AM
Obama says the test "warrants action" by the "international community." Plus he's willing to enter into "talks."
Wow!!! That kind of talk will sure stop North Korea.
It's the kind of statement one would expect from a president of Belgium or France. A Socialist president of Belgium or France....
Posted by: Bruce | May 25, 2009 11:27 AM
Bruce and Inky are morons. What did they expext Obama to say- I am sending in troops tomorrow? Their hero, Bush, had 8 years to deal with them. I guess he scared the crap out of them, didn't he?
Posted by: Disgusted | May 25, 2009 11:59 AM
The President should immediately dispatch VP Biden to enter direct talks with the N Koreans. Either his superior knowledge and intellect will bend their evil ways to his point of view or they will take him hostage and demand ransom. It's a win, win strategy for our Pres.
Posted by: Bushwacker | May 25, 2009 12:20 PM
Great! Jimmy Carter is back in the white House. Here we go again.
Posted by: Larry W. | May 25, 2009 12:30 PM
Don't worry about it--I trust Obama's campaign pledge to sit down and talk these issues through. Do you think North Korea can resist Obama's charisma? All is good. . .
Posted by: Richard Ponzi | May 25, 2009 12:35 PM
Don't expect anything to happen though. More talk. More useless resolutions. More stalling by China & Russia.
Military action against NK is needed. Period. There should be a US-led invasion, followed by a truly global UN period of occupation and power restructuring, with supervisory control by the US, Japan, India, and China (US having veto over the other three).
Enough.
Posted by: Joe Fournier | May 25, 2009 10:56 AM
Very Good Joe- Looks as if Israel will have to go alone-You may be correct, all US will do is talk and hope its not too late for israel -
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY
Posted by: Inky | May 25, 2009 12:49 PM
Posted by: Bruce | May 25, 2009 11:27 AM
Bruce, please tell us what Bush did when North Korea re-started their nuclear program to produce weapons during his administration? Oh, yeah, I forgot ... INVADE IRAQ!
Posted by: BC | May 25, 2009 1:05 PM
It certainly does require aggressive action. The time for posturing is over. North Korea will keep testing until they are called out.
When bullies are told to sit down and shut up in no uncertain terms they usually do.
The other option is to continue the "condemnations" while they grow bolder with each test launch.
Posted by: Magnetic Cash Gifting | May 25, 2009 1:32 PM
Has anyone ever thought about the situation from North Korea's point of view? If you think these people are savages/brutes looking for blood then you are already lost to the propaganda of the US media. They are people just like us and wouldn't be developing the need for this weapon unless they felt threatened by some foreign threat. The common sense choice would be South Korea, but I am sure China, Russia, maybe Japan and especially the US are up to no good. However, my opinion is biased against the US since the revelation of their evil affairs in other countries, economic hitmen as an example. Click on my name to view the sources of my claims if you are in doubt.
Posted by: Chester | May 25, 2009 1:50 PM
It didn't take to long for the usual suspects to blame Bush for this!
Is that the best Obama's defenders can do--proclaim that he's no worse than Bush?? Not exactly the "Hope" and "Change" we were promised....
Posted by: Bruce | May 25, 2009 3:55 PM
Just to be clear, we attacked NK in ANY way, and Tokyo and Seoul disappear in a barrage of chemical and biological missles (maybe even nuclear) from the Koreans. 4-10 million dead, easy (including 40,000 US troops in the demilitarized zone).
Bill Clinton knew this quite well when he decided to give NK fuel oil and grain in 1994 to give up the bomb instead of attacking them. Problem is, Dem or Repub US admin, NK will use the bomb (or threat of it) to get what they want. Which is mainly free food and fuel oil to feed their starving country.
The single most frightening aspect of this entire situation is the following Obama admin quote...
Just two weeks ago, the administration's special envoy for disarmament talks with North Korea, Stephen Bosworth, said during a visit to Asian capitals that "everyone is feeling relatively relaxed about where we are at this point in the process."
Posted by: Republican Hawk | May 25, 2009 9:38 PM
Bruce, don't you have some more fake journalism to create today? What did your boy shrub do? Let's see....he ignored warnings of the pending 9-11, he allowed NK to forward their real threat of state terrorism, and yes, he managed to piss off all of our allies in the world, just for starters. You and inky are are making more dems with every post. Keep up the great work!!!
Posted by: Xcellentform | May 25, 2009 11:30 PM