Originally posted by Karlhungis
I was under the impression that North Korea learned how to make a nuke from a Pakistani scientist.
abcnews.go.com...
In Pakistan, Khan is a hero, the man who created the world's only Islamic nuclear state. But in 2004, he admitted selling nuclear technology to
Iran, North Korea and Libya
A great point. And if North Korea has already mingled around with other countries in the black world of covert nuclear technology sales, there's a
high likelihood that they would also sell this technology to other countries if given the chance. I think that's probably the biggest fear.
From the movie "The Peacemaker".. "I'm not scared of someone who wants ten nuclear warheads. I'm terrified of the man who wants just one."
But there is also alot of information online with regards to how to build a nuclear weapon. One would still need to purchase "know-how" sofar as
designing safeties, triggering mechanisms, and multi-stage hardware in general (all very important in the design of a nuclear device).
But there are designs, specs, and alot of other pretty scary information already freely available on the internet. What isn't out there is the
extremely rare, extremely expensive fissile material required to initiate a nuclear chain reaction.
So, I can see how North Korea would want an "expert" to guide their nuclear program in the right direction. But they could technically construct a
very basic nuclear-capable device (without all the bells and whistles) without really needing alot of outside input.
A satellite image of the Korean Peninsula at night shows just how different North Korea is from South Korea.
upload.wikimedia.org...
We're dealing with a rogue communist nation with a rogue communist dictator that now has nukes at his disposal. But, more importantly, he now has
nukes that he can sell. Which he might be forced to do anyway if all the coming sanctions and freezing of assets force "the supreme leader" to such
drastic measures. If North Korea has already purchased nuclear secrets and/or nuclear "know-how" from other countries, they'd be much more capable
of dealing their own weapons on that same black market. Even if we're only dealing with the sale of fissile material (which, it is believed they had
enough for 5 or 6 nuclear weapons back in January).
Meanwhile, unknown numbers of North Koreans are dying off because of malnutrition, disease, and government ordered executions. Their economic
situation is probably pretty dire, their energy situation is probably just as dire (especially now, as the coming UN sanctions will inevitably impact
this), and all they have to show for it is a nightmarish way of life in the shadow of a lunatic dictator. These are the people really suffering from
all this. At this point, we have no way of knowing the full extent of this humanitarian nightmare.
Their dictator may end up needing to sell nuclear weapons, components, secrets, and/or fissile material just to keep his country's economy afloat
(what's left of it). I don't know about you guys, but I have a feeling the U.N. isn't going to be so forgiving this time. And that just makes it
more likey that he would try to find a buyer.
-ChriS
