North Koreas Post-test Statement May Indicate They Have Miniaturized A Nuclear Device

Amongst all the nuclear sabre rattling coming out of North Korea are a couple of things that we should really be a little concerned about. We have heard before that tests were taking place, and once again North Korea gave the overnight warning. We are used to the international condemnation that follows the tests. We can even hazard a guess as to why they do the things they do. They rattle their nuclear sabre and the West reacts in its predicable way assuming that the Dear Leader is not actually crazy enough to try and launch a device. Food aid is then provided and it all settles down until the next time Pyongnang decides to try and flex its nuclear muscles.

This time though there’s a subtle difference. The triumph statement released by the government was as always upbeat…as expected, but taking a look at the wording can be revealing. Part of the statement indicates that the North Koreans may actually have made a breakthrough this time.

“…carried out at a high level and in a safe and perfect manner using a miniaturized and lighter nuclear device with a greater explosive force than previously”

North Korea has for years wanted to make a bomb smaller, small enough to fit on a warhead. If they are to be believed they may have managed it this time. In another part of the statement the following point should be noted:

“The test demonstrated the good performance of the DPRK’s nuclear deterrence that has become diversified.”

Pre-test speculation in the West concerned the fuel that they would use. Would it be highly enriched uranium instead of plutonium? If so then they have actually diversified their nuclear arsenal. In addition uranium enrichment facilities are far easier to hide away than plutonium ones, another plus if you don’t want the West knowing what you are up to or how far along in the process you are.

At this point it’s assumed that North Korea doesn’t yet have missile capability, and it’s also assumed that they realize if they did launch a strike it would be suicidal. The retaliation would not only end the regime but devastate a country that can’t feed its own population on a good day, let alone at a time when they are dealing with radioactive fall out and have no one sending food aid.

Let’s hope that once again North Korea are playing a game of Brinkmanship and nothing more. Only time will tell.