Atom Smashing in North Korea

Word is around that under the obstinate leadership of Kim Jong II's, North Korea has tested the nuclear bomb, it had been talking about for so long. Even though the Japanese still maintain that they cannot confirm the test, the Americans have confirmed that there was seismic activity in the region which was felt in Korea and Australia. Russians have confirmed it was a nuclear bomb. The test took place at 7:06 am IST on October 9, 2006.

Reports say that the bomb was equivalent to 550 tons of TNT. The White House, which ordered the dropping of the bomb on Hiroshima, 22 times the size of the one tested, more than 60 years ago, has condemned the act.

North Korea said that it was a giant leap for the communist nation, whose citizens survive on foreign aid because of the collapse of state-run farming in the country. It was a giant leap for sure, but it seemed to be in the opposite direction. Aid would be difficult to come buy, since the leadership has refused to join talks with neighbours, who provided the country with much needed supplies.

With this the North Korea also joins an exclusive group of countries crazy enough to use the nuclear bomb. United States was the only known member so far.

International politics keep getting more and more convoluted, because it keeps getting more difficult to choose between the bad guys and the bad guys dressed up as good guys.

Links
New York Times
Acorn