You Might Want to Be Prepared For Two North Korean Nuclear Tests

AP
Alexander Abad-Santos 2,069 Views Feb 4, 2013

Not satisfied with upsetting the entire world with a new nuclear weapons test, there's now speculation that North Korea may be planning two tests, possibly back-to-back or even simultaneously. When last we had checked with them, there were reports that the North Koreans were camouflaging an entrance to one of their underground tunnels at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site. That's basically the tell-tale sign that they're up to something and military officials believe it's also an attempt to block satellite surveillance. And that's bad news if you don't like a country as hostile as North Korea getting nuclear arms.

Remember, on Thursday the state-run news agency said that "Paektusan revolutionary army have already been in full readiness to shower fire of merciless punishment on the disgusting den of evils"—the U.S., according to North Korea's state media, is one of those "disgusting dens of evils."

Now, based on satellite surveillance, South Korean officials have determined there's activity at a second underground tunnel at Punggye-ri, which could mean a second nuclear test. "There is a chance that the southern tunnel is a decoy, but we aren't ruling out that the regime will conduct nuclear tests simultaneously at both tunnels," a military source told the South Korean Chosun Ilbo newspaper.

In anticipation for the imminent nuclear test(s), John Kerry, our brand-new Secretary of State, has already gone to work, along with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korea's Kim Sung-hwan in denouncing North Korea's moves on Sunday. North Korea, being North Korea, didn't take that very well. Their state-run Korean Central News Agency had this contentious message in return: 

The American way of thinking, American standard may work on other countries but never on the DPRK. The army and people of the DPRK have launched an all-out struggle to defend the dignity and sovereignty of the country.

The U.S. brazen-faced double standards and highhanded hostile act are bound to face the DPRK's toughest retaliation.

Want to add to this story? Let us know in comments or send an email to the author at aabadsantos at theatlantic dot com. You can share ideas for stories on the Open Wire.

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