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North Korea's Latest Threat

North Korea's latest threat, S. Korea's analysis of N. Korea's rocket debris, Chinese interception test a success, India successfully test-fires underwater missile, Iran launches monkey into space, showing missile progress, Devil is in the details for Iran nuclear deal.

Published on January 29, 2013
 

North Korea's Latest Threat

James Acton | Carnegie Q&A

Kim Jong Un

North Korea's powerful National Defense Commission announced its intention this week to carry out "a nuclear test of higher level." In a Q&A, James M. Acton explains the technological reasons North Korea would want to test another nuclear device and what to watch for if it does.

From a purely technical perspective, a test could almost certainly take place within weeks—possibly within just a few days. Over the last year, numerous satellite images have shown that North Korea has worked hard, first to prepare its test site at Punggye-ri and then to ensure a high state of readiness. This included strenuous efforts in the fall to repair extensive damage from summer rains.   Full Article



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David Wright | Union of Concerned Scientists
South Korea recently released a short summary of its analysis of the pieces it recovered of North Korea’s first stage from its Dec. 11 satellite launch. Parts of the analysis have been showing up in the South Korean press in the last few days.     Full Article

Zhao Shengnan and Qin Zhongwei | China Daily
Analysts said China's latest midair missile interception test will help Beijing strengthen its air defense capability amid strained relations with some of its Asian neighbors. It is the second such test that China has successfully launched within its territory since January 2010.     Full Article

Y. Mallikarjun and T.S. Subramanian | Hindu
In its twelfth flight trial, the 10-metre tall Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile lifted off from a pontoon, rose to an altitude of 20 km and reached a distance of about 700 km as it splashed down in the waters of the Bay of Bengal near the pre-designated target point.     Full Article

Yeganeh Torbati | Reuters
Iran said on Monday it had launched a live monkey into space, seeking to show off missile systems that have alarmed the West because the technology could potentially be used to deliver a nuclear warhead.     Full Article

Jasmin Ramsey | IPS
George Perkovich, a nuclear policy expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said Iran's belief that it has a right to enrich uranium peacefully in accordance with the NPT is a matter of interpretation rather than fact.     Full Article
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