N. Korea Pulls Out of Non-Proliferation Treaty

[mikepd]

As reported by CNN:

"SEOUL, South Korea (CNN) -- North Korea has announced its withdrawal from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, according to the official North Korean news agency monitored in Seoul.

But the secretive communist state said it has no intention of developing nuclear weapons, despite the pullout."


Full text of the CNN story here:

http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/01/09/nkorea.crisis/index.html

This adds a new twist to the story. Is N. Korea just ratcheting up the ante before sitting down with the U.S. to discuss ways to pull back or are they serious? What is on the Dear Leader's mind?

[ethics]

More bluffing.

Reminds me of a kid who just couldn't get his way. He ups the ante.

[mikepd]

Dear Leader is truly unpredictable. If he feels he cannot get his way, he might just decide to pull a Gotterdammerung. Time will tell.

[Sierra Mike]

Indeed, indeed. Still, it's more like icing on the cake. It's an infantile move, and one that's unlikely to garner a lot of respect amongst the international community.

SM

[Coot]

Let me see if I have this right...N. Korea is pulling out of a treaty they were never abiding by in the first place...does this just about sum it up?

[ShinyTop]

LOL - nice summary

[MJF]

The consensus is that they have already made at least two nuclear weapons prior to this lateast threat. The fact that Bush has included them as charter members of the "Axis of Evil" certainly caused them concern. By making this preemptive move, they will develop 5 or 6 more nucear weapons for their stockpile. Their thinking may be that this will certainly discourage Bush from moving in on N. Korea after he is done with Iraq.

After they boost the stockpile they will sit down and talk. They will get more economic incentives and assistance to build a few more light water nuclear power plants.

It's a bold move but not a reaction one couldn't expect.

In the meantime, it's a hot spot and should not be ignored. We have never done well negotiating with N. Korea. This is a big test for Bush.

[Biker]

Still laughing over this one.. Hee hee hee

[Sierra Mike]

LOL...just forwarded that to some pals in the PRC...

SM