Nuclear Testing in North Korea

Tensions Are Stirring

Sept 2005: At first hailed as a breakthrough, North Korea agrees to give up nuclear activities. Next day, N Korea says it will not scrap its activities unless it gets a civilian nuclear reactor. US imposes financial sanctions on N Korea businesses

July 2006: N Korea test-fires seven missiles UN Security Council votes to impose sanctions over the tests
Oct 2006: N Korea claims to have carried out nuclear test

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6033079.stm

North Korea's testing of its first nuclear weapon was carried out in the defiance of international warnings. If the test was succesful as said, it would make Notrth Korea the ninth known nation obtaining nuclear power. Described as a "historic event that brought happiness to our military and people" by North Korea, their action has actually has angered many nations.

This act has and will affect the world.

North Korea's nuclear test last week showed that policies of isolation and threats of regime change will not prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. The US's relations with North Korea have deteriorated since 2002. The US' greatest fear is that North Korea will sell them to other nations, such as Iraq and Iran. With our current situation in The War on Terror, this could cause major disruption in our activities in rebuilding Iraq. The last thing the world wants right now is a nuclear-arms race. Following North Korea's claimed nuclear test, the US pushed through a UN resolution that calls for a series of sanctions against Pyongyang. These include a ban on the imports and exports of military hardware, nuclear and missile-related items and luxury goods, as well as the travel of anyone involved in North Korea's missile and nuclear programmes. The resolution also allows for the inspection of North Korean cargo, but, in a bid to ease Chinese and Russian concerns, stresses the need for a new resolution if further action is sought.

China is also affected, because it is North Korea's largest trading partner. Nuclear testing will affect not only North Korea's economy, but China's and many other neighboring countries' economies. While Beijing supports the sanctions approved in the resolution, it has indicated it still has reservations about carrying out inspections of North Korean ships, especially when they are still at sea, in case it triggers a flare up with the North's navy.

After the missile tests, South Korea has cut off regular humanitarian aid, including rice and fertilizer to the North. Despite it's feelings about the weapons testing, they are fearful to raise tensions with its neighbor to the North. It also fears political or economic collapse in North Korea since this could lead to millions of refugees crossing its border. South Korea has been reluctant to join the sanctions, yet has agreed to now join on a "partial and case-by-case basis."

As you can see, North Korea's nuclear testing has deeply angered these, and many other nations around the world.