http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/24/nkorea.nuclear/index.html
What are your thoughts?
To be honest,
While alarming, North Korea is not doing itself any kind of favor by irking the rest of the world.
Back in the early 50s it had the still strictly communistic china as its primary ally which was a significant factor in north koreas early victories during the Korean War.
Since then, the political landscape has changed immensly with China actually siding with America on the issue of Nuke testing and aggressive acts.
If North Korea does decide to do something stupid like launch a nuke, it would fine the entirety of the U.N. knocking on all its borders, its army quickly overran and all major military facilities still above ground whiped out.
In a matter of months, the armed forces would be overran by sheer military numbers (North America possibly not lending as big a hand in this effort. Mostly China, South Korea, JSDF Naval attache, several smaller standing armies from various countries willing to act (belgium, france, U.K, Spain, Italy and Greece to name a few that I know of which have anything resembling an army...greece being the least likely based upon recent economic and political turmoil.)
Essentially, you would have a very much aggresive and decisive battle.
Thats assuming North Korea finally looses its last marbles and attacks, Chances are this is yet another North Korean flexing of muscles for no reason other than to look strong.
TL;DR this is yet another foot bullet by North Korea...the sooner the country fails the better..
Dealing with North Korea is like dealing with one enormous mental patient. This patient is a compulsive liar, suffers delusions of grandeur, and is suicidal. This patient is a danger to itself and others. Isolation is the only option.
I've heard that since these nukes tests, most foreign countries have started using diplomacy when dealing with North Korea instead of extortion and treatening. So, there this saying; "You can go a long way with a smile. You can go a lot farther with a smile and a gun". I guess in this particular case it is completely true.
Call me a cold war poo but China could just be putting on a show. USA knows China is the only nation with any influence over North Korea and when Kim conveniently reels in his nuclear program after being told off by China it will strengthen his value as a negotiating chip.