North Korea threatens to restart nuclear plant

[David_NSU]

Source: The Independent

Friday, 27 March 2009

North Korea has warned that if the international community punishes it for next month's planned missile launch, it will restart a nuclear plant that makes weapons-grade plutonium.

This week, the secretive state put a long-range missile in place for a launch that the US has warned would violate UN sanctions. The planned launch, seen by many as a disguised military exercise, is the first big test for Barack Obama in dealing with the rogue state.

North Korea says the launch is to put a satellite into orbit, and warned that any action by the UN Security Council to punish it would be viewed as a "hostile act".

"All the processes for the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula... will be brought back to what used to be... and necessary strong measures will be taken," said a foreign ministry spokesman.

North Korea has frozen its ageing nuclear reactor and started to dismantle its Yongbyon atomic plant under a deal signed by regional powers in 2005, which offered economic aid and better relations for the isolated North in return.

Despite the agreement, it carried out a nuclear test in 2006.


Read more: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/north-korea-threatens-to-restart-nuclear-plant-1655369.html

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The threats are getting ridiculous. North Korea continues to undermine the international community in any way possible. Of course they have a right to self-determination along with a need to defend their culture but this is really moving too far. Once again.

[Adsos Letter]

1. Yeah, that whole "right to self-determination" thing...

seems to be in the hands of a merciless dictator, backed by military force. It would be nice if the actual Korean people, who live in a virtual prison colony from what I understand, could have a say in their self-determination.

I recognize you aren't arguing for the legitimacy of the N. Korean government...I just felt like saying it... :)

[Egnever]

3. Kim jong is in poor health no?

[Egnever]

2. WTF with these guys? Do they want to be invaded?

I dont get it they have been screaming dont attack us or we will.... for months now. Is anyone seriously threatening them?
Is this just kim jung going batty in his last days?

Whats the deal?

[jimlup]

4. We own the World

The North Korean regime is a two bit dictatorship that severely oppresses its people. That having been said, how can we be all upset about a North Korean "satellite" launch?

Even if it is really a ballistic missile test - as long as it doesn't fly over Japan's airspace - how can we dare tell them they can't? I guess if you make the assumption that "we own (and rule) the world (and space)" ...

I'm not an expert in the nuclear disarmament treaty that they agreed to but I doubt it says anything about ballistic missile tests.

[pampango]

5. How about they "threaten" to spend more of their money developing the ability to feed the

their own people? (I realize that nuclear weapons and long range missiles are much more glamorous.)