North Korea carries out its largest nuclear test

[Nyah]

The latest test was announced on state TV hours after a 5.3 magnitude tremor was detected near the Punggye-ri underground nuclear site. Estimates of the explosive yield of the latest blast have varied. South Korea's military said it was about 10 kilotonnes, enough to make it the North's "strongest nuclear test ever". Other experts say initial indications suggest 20 kilotonnes or more. The bomb dropped by the US on Hiroshima in 1945 had a yield of about 15 kilotonnes.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37317782

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/quake-n...lear-1.3754337

Pretty worrisome. It’s obviously being condemned by pretty much everyone, but aside from sanctions, what can really be done? Sanctions don’t really hurt the regime, but the people. According to the article, China doesn’t want to take out the regime or see it fall as it would create a ‘power vacuum’, causing uncertainty within the country and possible occupation by foreign forces (US & allies). North Korea is claiming that the tests are for national defense only, but you really have to wonder with how seemingly unhinged Kim Jong-un is becoming. If China won’t do anything, will Russia?

[peter12]

Maybe Obama will meet with them.

[polak]

Originally Posted by peter12

Maybe Obama will meet with them.

Send in shirtless Trudeau to make Kim Jung Un question his sexuality and thus expose a weakness

[Fuzz]

Paging Denis Rodman. Your assistance is needed.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by peter12

Maybe Obama will meet with them.

Lets wait for Trump. He can sort this out post-haste.

[Hessen]

Originally Posted by Locke

Lets wait for Trump. He can sort this out post-haste.

More likely he'll tell everyone what a beloved strong leader he is...

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Hessen

More likely he'll tell everyone what a beloved strong leader he is...

I'm looking forward to his theses on Korean Walls. I mean, they already have a de-militarized zone which the US graciously seeded with mines for them, a wall really isnt all that much of a stretch if you think about it.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by polak

Send in shirtless Trudeau to make Kim Jung Un question his sexuality and thus expose a weakness

[Huntingwhale]

Everyone makes fun of NK when their missiles flutter into the sea, or that their nukes tests are still way smaller then the atom bombs that dropped in Japan. But that's how you get better. You make mistakes and learn from them.

Honest question: is there really any sanctions left to do?

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

Everyone makes fun of NK when their missiles flutter into the sea, or that their nukes tests are still way smaller then the atom bombs that dropped in Japan. But that's how you get better. You make mistakes and learn from them.

Honest question: is there really any sanctions left to do?

We could sanction their sunlight

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

Everyone makes fun of NK when their missiles flutter into the sea, or that their nukes tests are still way smaller then the atom bombs that dropped in Japan. But that's how you get better. You make mistakes and learn from them.

Honest question: is there really any sanctions left to do?

This test was measured at a size of 2/3rds of the size of the bomb that hit Hiroshima. So right at this moment, the NK's have a city buster bomb. This isn't a tactical weapon its a strategic weapon.

They also claim that they have figured out warhead miniaturization, which will allow them to not only put warheads on their long range ballistic missiles but that also means that they can put warheads on their short and intermediate range missiles.

the North Koreans have already deployed about 200 of their Rodung medium range missiles that are portable. They've successfully tested their Musadan long range missile with a 4000 km range. So they've now got the gun barrel and the bullet.

They don't need a lot of nuclear warheads. Making the portable which is their focus makes it difficult for them to be located. But they can effectively put Japan and South Korea under a nuclear umbrella.

the terrifying thing is that if they have minaturization, the next logical thing is to develop a nuclear option built around artillery, small 1 to 10 megaton devices that can be fired from a standardized artillary set or a MLRS, because the largest concentrated force of North Korea artillary is tasked with the destruction of Seoul.

[activeStick]

I can't see China sitting idly by until the US is forced to do something on their own pre-emptively or the North Koreans make a serious move given the strategic importance of that area.

A regime change from the inside by China is the most likely scenario I see once the Chinese determine that enough is enough.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by activeStick

I can't see China sitting idly by until the US is forced to do something on their own pre-emptively or the North Koreans make a serious move given the strategic importance of that area.

A regime change from the inside by China is the most likely scenario I see once the Chinese determine that enough is enough.

I think the most likely scenario is that the North Koreans manufactured some nukes out of some duct-tape and twine and wind up blowing themselves back into the primordial ooze.

[sharkov]

This week: N Korea has nuclear bombs while S Korea has exploding phones

[nik-]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

This test was measured at a size of 2/3rds of the size of the bomb that hit Hiroshima. So right at this moment, the NK's have a city buster bomb. This isn't a tactical weapon its a strategic weapon.

They also claim that they have figured out warhead miniaturization, which will allow them to not only put warheads on their long range ballistic missiles but that also means that they can put warheads on their short and intermediate range missiles.

the North Koreans have already deployed about 200 of their Rodung medium range missiles that are portable. They've successfully tested their Musadan long range missile with a 4000 km range. So they've now got the gun barrel and the bullet.

They don't need a lot of nuclear warheads. Making the portable which is their focus makes it difficult for them to be located. But they can effectively put Japan and South Korea under a nuclear umbrella.

the terrifying thing is that if they have minaturization, the next logical thing is to develop a nuclear option built around artillery, small 1 to 10 megaton devices that can be fired from a standardized artillary set or a MLRS, because the largest concentrated force of North Korea artillary is tasked with the destruction of Seoul.

They have to get to 1 MT devices before they start worrying about minaturizing them. They're a long way off from 2 stage. I doubt they ever get there.

They'll never attack anyone with these, they're using them for extortion. The regime wants the gravy life on the backs of its people, they're not suicidal.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by nik-

They have to get to 1 MT devices before they start worrying about minaturizing them. They're a long way off from 2 stage. I doubt they ever get there.

They'll never attack anyone with these, they're using them for extortion. The regime wants the gravy life on the backs of its people, they're not suicidal.

Sorry I completely mistyped that 1 to 10 kt artillary pieces.

And I think they're beyond extortion now, they see these weapons as a shield for their military that's falling further and further behind in terms of advanced weapons.

[nik-]

ahh, yeah.

Shield, extortion, likely both correct. Protect themselves and get some "stop being crazy" payouts.

[The Fonz]

I know Kim Jong. Good guy, great leader, very popular. Loves me. I know him very well. Great guy, knows me and respects me. Fantastic leader. He does not respect Hillary.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

I know Kim Jong. Good guy, great leader, very popular. Loves me. I know him very well. Great guy, knows me and respects me. Fantastic leader. He does not respect Hillary.

If you were expecting him to blame this all on Hillary, you win!

[calumniate]

^^ ok, I was expecting Trump to jump all in on this one. Guess he's testing the waters first