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The Democratic Peoples’ Republic of Korea (DPRK) or North Korea conducted a nuclear test on January 6, 2016. The recent test takes the count of nuclear tests conducted by North Korea to a total of four with previous tests in October 2006, May 2009 and February 2013. Following the January 2016 test, North Korea released a statement claiming that it had tested a small H-bomb or thermonuclear bomb. The North Korea test resulted in widespread global condemnation led by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the United States, China, South Korea and Japan. However, subsequent differences over measures to curb the expanding North Korean nuclear and missile arsenal and over imposition of economic sanctions have evoked what Ralph Cossa describes as a sense of déjà-vu. Rather than dwell on the best possible manner to deal with Pyongyang, this article will focus on the expanding capabilities of the Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO)’s International Monitoring System (IMS) to successfully detect even a fairly small nuclear test (up to 0.1kt) in any part of the globe with about 90% probability. Since it was founded in 1996, the IMS capabilities have expanded to its current strength of 321 Seismic, Radionuclide, Infrasound and Hydroacousic stations spread across the globe. The primary aim of the IMS is to ensure that no nuclear test conducted in the atmosphere, underwater, underground goes undetected. READ MORE HERE  Write a summary of what you learned from the article above. Include 3-5 major discussion points in the article. Ask a critical thinking question of your classmates. (A critical thinking question is an open ended question.) Conclude with your personal perspective on the development and use of nuclear weapons. Should we have a world where nuclear weapons exist? Why or why not?
Original Posts 250 words (minimum). Respond to three other students 50 words (minimum). Original post due Thursday @ midnight. Responses (3) due Sunday @ midnight.
48 Comments
Misa Toyoura
2/11/2016 11:35:43 pm
On January 6, the North Korean government announced that it had successfully carried out its first underground test of a hydrogen bomb. Until now, this claim has not been independently verified— it appears to have produced a yield that was larger than that of any previous North Korean nuclear test. It is commonly believed that nuclear weapons keep us safe. Nuclear weapons has prevented a third and possible fourth world war, and they continue prevent great power conflict. This will continue to be the case until some nation can negate the threat, which is one reason why America is putting so many resources into missile defense. I get that point, however, I want to raise a question how many of them are needed, and how many types and delivery systems are maintained to make nations feel really safe? I feel like this is a never-ending question because no state can ever feel completely safe because a state will not give up on the weapons even if others do since all of state want to manipulate over one another. Nuclear weapons are called weapons of mass destruction for a reason. They're weapons that destroy everything in mass, they don't aim. Nuclear weapons don't pick, and chose what gets wiped out and what doesn't—they simply destroy everything. As humans, we get into conflicts over petty reason however we all still share living on this planet equally. Our conflicts are between us and only us, nature could care less about religion, politics & and control of natural resources. That being said the fallout from nuclear radiation affects nature. Take the case of Japan; they did surrender. But, now what? The people of those areas have been affected from a couple generations now of a conflict most people in the world will only experience through historical text and movies. It turns zones inhabitable at least by human standards, Chernobyl and the Red Forest is a huge example of that.
JeeSoo Lee
2/14/2016 03:59:05 pm
Hi Misa,
Michael Stevens
2/14/2016 10:22:01 pm
Yes, I agree that it is difficult to live with the nuclear weapons. However, this calls for the international community to come together in order to determine when using a nuclear weapon would be okay, and what should be done to those who disobey that rule. This is a difficult question because as you said, nuclear bombs do not discriminate, and it leaves the detonation site uninhabitable for generations.
Mark De Martini
2/19/2016 09:41:21 am
Misa,
Sharelle smith
2/21/2016 10:16:38 pm
Misa that is great that you brought up the effect it has on nature. With all the oil spills and pollution ruining our environment the last thing is we need is two countries or more going at it. When and if a government in acts such a violence it's not on behalf of the citizens. A global vote would confirm that. It has taken decades for ares to recover from areas where nuclear weapons are tested. The pollutants
wenli zhou
2/22/2016 12:27:34 am
Hi Misa, I like your opinion. yes, instead of thinking about lavages, we should ask yourself how many ways of destroy another nation can make us feel safer. I think the United States will be the first one to stand against banning of nuclear weapon. We are accusing other nations for its wrongdoing but we are really not any better!
JeeSoo Lee
2/14/2016 03:48:03 pm
North Korea has conducted its fourth nuclear test with small H-bombs or thermonuclear bombs on January 6th, 2016. The previous three nuclear tests were conducted in 2006, 2009, and 2013 respectively.
Michael Stevens
2/14/2016 10:28:15 pm
As you mentioned in your question, it is clear that the Kim regime does not care to change its plans. Insanity is doing the same thing but expecting different results. So, more sanctions is obviously not the answer. Perhaps going into negotiations to lift sanctions and bring North Korea into the nuclear community via a nuclear deal similar to the one done with Iran.
Thu-Thao Ho
2/17/2016 02:14:03 am
I for one approve of sanctions towards the North Korean economy. The Kim regime will NOT agree to the terms of a nuclear deal. They will continue to encourage the development of nuclear weaponry if no sanctions are put into place. To lift the sanctions would be digging the rest of the world into deep turmoil. Lifting sanctions will only raise concerns of North Korea possibly releasing a missile in the western parts of the US.
Mary Rasooli
2/18/2016 08:37:18 pm
Hi! Like you, I agree that a sanction with North Korea modeled like the Iran deal would not work at all because they are extremely threatening in their approach and mentality. I agree that there will be no agreement for a nuclear deal because it is very different leadership running the relations of the country.
Abhisheak Sharma
2/21/2016 03:56:25 pm
Hey JeeSoo,
Sharelle smith
2/21/2016 10:21:50 pm
Jee soo I think the only way to condemn North Korea is for the world as a whole to really commit to these sanctions. Sanctions do not hold when one country decides " ok we can be friends when nothing has changed. This is certainly the situation that is happening now. First China was their only Allie. Now that their relationship is falling apart, Russia steps in and says we want to be allies with you. North Korea can give a $@!,? Who is their friends or not. But if they aren't really able to trade with anyone and we are strict with where supplies are coming from there would be a significant change.
Michael Stevens
2/14/2016 10:14:47 pm
I knew that North Korea launched its fourth nuclear test; what I didn’t know was that it had launched nuclear weapons as early as 2006. I also learned that North Korea is attempting to launch a satellite into orbit this month. And finally, I learned that North Korea could potentially reach my house with a nuclear weapon. In addition, I learned that there is a global nuclear detonation monitoring system that has a high degree of accuracy. One question I have is: why shouldn’t world powers negotiate a nuclear deal with North Korea that is similar to the Iran nuclear deal? Personally, it would be hard to separate nuclear power from nuclear weapons. Therefore, unless the world gathers up all of the nuclear material and launches it into space, then I don’t foresee a world without nuclear weapons. In addition, there have been talks of using nuclear weapons as a method for global protection from asteroids, so eliminating nuclear weapons would eliminate a potential solution to the threat of asteroids. Since I don’t believe that everyone would get rid of nuclear material, nuclear weapons are here to stay. The question is akin to asking: should we have a world where computers exist? The technology is here, and it will not go away. Therefore, the focus should not be on should they exist, but the question should focus on how nuclear weapons should be used. What are the rules for using a nuclear weapon, and what are the consequences for disobeying those rules? These are more relevant questions that the world should be asking itself.
Mary Rasooli
2/18/2016 08:34:49 pm
In response to your question, I think that Iran and North Korea are two very different countries and that although such a deal worked or may work with Iran, it appears that North Korea is essentially noncompliant and such a deal would not exactly work with North Korea. Good Question!
Anteo Swenson
2/20/2016 11:43:47 am
This article did let us know about how nuclear testing works and about the tests themselves. Nuclear arms have become a persistent threat for the international community. The idea of getting rid of nuclear weapons, by now, is simple not realistic. There are regulations for nuclear energy and weapons, it's all in the non-proliferation treaty. But even if North Korea were to be part of this treaty, it doesn't mean it would follow it. India for example, is not allowed to have nuclear arms, but it does have nuclear technology and argues that it's only used for its energy purposes. After all, treaties and international agreements cannot be made law if there's no authority to enforce them; a problem that our international system persists to have.
Sharelle Smith
2/21/2016 10:26:56 pm
Yes Micheal! There's the exception for nuclear weapons.....we need to protect ourselves against asteroids! I believe that is the only reason to develop weapons of such magnitude. Other than that we wouldn't need them. The world is fearful that someone will make an ill and grave decision that would horrendously affect us all. But to destroy asteroids that could hit earth is a good reason. Hopefully we don't use em before than.
Thu-Thao Ho
2/17/2016 02:04:34 am
North Korea has for long aroused concerns due to their production and testing of nuclear arms. With the advances of technology, the seismic monitoring method is placed into great usage by allowing countries to analyze sites of North Korea's nuclear tests. Using this technological improvement nations can also use the data collected as legitimate reasons to sanction the North Korean economy. One interesting fact I learned through reading this article is that the radionuclide network can be used to collect as well as analyze fission products released from North Korean tests. This is very effective in having the research data to help the public be aware of the environmental hazards such as pollution and health hazards that are involved with one devastating blast from one nuclear bomb. One of the greatest concerns that I have is if North Korea is successful in reducing the mass of 1000kg payload, there is a high possibility that one of their missiles could target my home at any time. As a supporter for peace in this world I agree with Mr. Ban Ki Moon that nuclear disarmament is the only sane path to a safer world. Nuclear weapons are classified as WMDs (Weapons of Mass Destruction), and just as the name says, one blast could mean obliterating everyone and everything within its radioactive blast. A nuclear bomb should not exist, it has long-term effects due to the nucleotide chain reactions that leave earth's surface contaminated by the radioactive fallout. We must take into account that a world with nuclear technology for medical purposes is not the same as a world polluted by nuclear weaponry. We are all humans sharing one world, one environment, and one dream to live in peace, why is it that we must cause mass destruction through nuclear testing in order to represent national power?
Michael Stevens
2/18/2016 01:44:25 am
Hello,
Mary Rasooli
2/18/2016 08:40:12 pm
Hi! I agree and appreciate your opinion that nuclear bombs should not exist and that their longterm effects are disturbingly permanent and damaging. Unfortunately leaders tend to surpass the humanitarian view and approach the defense and dominance of their countries as their priority; inherently leading to the use/threat of weapons of mass destruction
Anteo Swenson
2/20/2016 11:51:05 am
Great post. There is plenty of evidence to economically sanction North Korea, in fact, there have been sanction for a while now. They don't have trade with a lot of countries, China and Mongolia and far as I know. I believe the reason for the importance of such testing mechanisms is to confirm the so popular threats made by North Korea.
wenli zhou
2/22/2016 12:21:32 am
HI Thu-Thao, I think the reason every state want to obtain nuclear weapon because it works as a
Anteo Swenson
2/18/2016 11:25:26 am
The past January 6th, North Korea conducted successful nuclear tests. This led a condemnation by the Security Council, particularly, it’s neighbors: China, South Korea, Japan, and of course, the United States. They proceeded to maintain economic sanction over North Korea, a scene that has been seen before. Nuclear weapons are something that has been a persisting topic of discussion among the international community since the creation of such at the end of the Second World War. It has become a tool of defense, but holds an incredible amount of offense, which is why many countries want access to them. The control of nuclear proliferation and who gets to have them has become a matter of dispute and concern. The article talks about the Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO)’s and the International Monitoring System (IMS); both are focused in monitoring nuclear test in order to be aware and try to control nuclear proliferation. These organizations have technology to detect the testing of nuclear weapons. For example, they have a seismographer that detects nuclear testing as well as earthquakes; the past North Korean tests were detected in different parts of the world. Another way of detecting such test is by looking for traces of Argon and Xenon, both of which are byproducts of a nuclear reaction. The goal of these organizations is to prove such tests and be aware of future ones, it’s important because a political claim can always be made, but in this case, evidence is required to know what the possible threat is.
Mary Rasooli
2/18/2016 08:31:39 pm
Anteo Swenson
2/20/2016 11:57:39 am
Hi. I like your stance that nuclear weapons should not exist. It is really idealistic, but it means well. Even though a lot of technological and scientific advancements have been made with such nuclear technology, it has become a danger threat. A lot of nations want access to such technology, some for harmful reasons, like North Korea. I don't believe that economical sanctions would make this state comply to the terms stated by the international community. In fact, they already have economical sanctions; something that is affecting its population. And yet, they're still not complying. Nuclear proliferation is one of the contemporary main topics of discussion for international relations, one that has plenty of reasons to be so; as we have seen.
Megan Fernandez
2/18/2016 08:46:34 pm
In 1996, the Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization also known as CTBTO has facilitated and created a system that it calls the International Monitoring System, IMS for short, that can detect tests of nuclear weapons. The IMS utilizes several methods of detection including seismic monitoring and radionuclide monitoring. Last month, North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear testing underground, the other three of which occurred in October 2006, May 2009 and February 2013. North Korea also announced that it tested a small H-bomb or thermonuclear bomb following its test in January. Through seismic monitoring, the IMS can monitor both natural and manmade vibrations in the Earth’s tectonic plates including earthquakes and nuclear explosions. North Korea’s recent nuclear test was detected by 27 of CTBTO’s seismic monitoring stations. The CTBTO also uses radionuclide monitoring. Notably, their tests in 2009 and 2013 released fewer radionuclides, the act of which is referred to as “venting,” suggesting that North Korea attempted to stifle the radioactive emissions from the explosion by burying the device under a layer of granite, which blocks some of the emissions. The CTBTO uses seismic monitoring as a way to detect these nuclear tests and radionuclide monitoring as a means to affirm them with the seismic monitoring system the most effective in providing near-time detection and identification of the nuclear tests and the radionuclide monitoring a more precise means of analyzing fission products released from the explosions. With these two means, scientists working with the CTBTO may be able to confirm whether North Korea did in fact test a thermonuclear device in contrast to their other nuclear tests that have been recorded with CTBTO’s monitoring systems.
Mark De Martini
2/19/2016 05:15:15 pm
Megan
Abhisheak Sharma
2/21/2016 04:27:43 pm
Hey Megan,
Mark De Martini
2/18/2016 09:14:42 pm
On 6 Jan 2016 North Korea tested what they claim to be a hydrogen bomb. A hydrogen bomb has several times the destructive force than of either of the atomic bombs that were dropped on Japan in WWII. An H-bomb can destroy a geographical area such as the LA basin or the San Francisco Bay Area to provide a perspective of destructive power. Last week it was reported South Korean intelligence reported North Korea is preparing for a military attack. This may not occur, however North Korea's posture is on a war footing. The article discussed the ability of the preparatory commission of the comprehensive test ban treaty (CTBTO)'s ability to monitor WMD testing. It seems that seismic testing from Norway is fairly conclusive, if not for the detected release of isotopes of Argon (AR37). It is better to assume the North Koreans have a nuclear weapon than it is to deny they don't. A strong foreign policy to punish or contain North Korea would be helpful. History has proven North Korea wants the possession of WMDs more than any sanction or international scolding can stop. Proliferation of WMDs is one of the world's greatest threats. I wish these weapons never existed. The atomic bomb ended WWII and ended up saving hundreds of thousands of lives if the war continued by conventional means. The genie could not be put back in the bottle. Intelligence analysts predict the world will see a nuclear weapon being used to kill in our lifetime. If the U.S. and the USSR were considered reasonable and responsible they came dangerously close to initiating a nuclear exchange no less than twice (the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis & the 1973 Yom Kippur War). It is a reasonable expectation to think a country like North Korea would be likely to use such a weapon, or sell one off to a terrorist organization who certainly would. I wish these weapons never existed because they have the ability to send mankind back into the dark ages, if not mark his extinction. I ask what do you think the U.S. and the world community should do about North Korea becoming a major threat?
Yumi Okawara
2/18/2016 10:27:09 pm
North Korea successfully conducted nuclear tests on January 6th. In recently, North Korea has already taken nuclear tests fourth times since October 2006. The latest result of tests were condemned by neighboring countries like China, South Korea and Japan and also the United States and UNSC. They impose economic sanctions against the country. Seismic monitoring means like well developed process to observe and inspect earthquake and man-made events such as nuclear explosion. Consequently, seismic monitoring has succeeded to observe all the four North Korean tests. Therefore, International Monitoring System of seismic stations worked very great in discrimination of North Korean nuclear test and near-time discovery. If North Korea work to make downsizing a nuclear warhead and it is able to enable the Kim government in what start them using a long range missile, Pyongyang is the fact that made nuclear testing of the fourth worries about itself. In addition, North Korea revises Unha-3 launcher to a ballistic missile, this is possible. The intention of these organization is to prove such a test, and is to notice a future thing can be always done. Because political claim can be always accomplished, these are important. However, it is required what evidence knows a possible menace. I do not think we should have in a world where nuclear weapons exist, but it is just a desire. It is okay to have nuclear weapon, but it must not harm to people at least. Moreover, it is difficult to expect what will happen. I personally think nuclear weapon is including nuclear power plant so that I think we cannot live without nuclear weapon. Because, it is a fact that we depend on atomic energy.
christian Trinidad
2/21/2016 10:25:03 pm
Hi Yumi
Misa Toyoura
2/21/2016 11:30:33 pm
Yumi! I wish those nuclear weapons didn't exist either. It not only harms people, our environment, but also really is expensive to keep them. However, I understand the point that we DO need them too!
christian trinidad
2/18/2016 10:32:09 pm
The article “International Monitoring of North Korea’s 2016 Nuclear Test” i learned that there is a system in place to monitor all nuclear testing across the world. This International Monitoring System (IMS) can test the smallest levels of radiation with 90% accuracy. North Korea recently tested a nuclear bomb that was estimated to be one of the most powerful so far. What troubles me more then anything is the fact they have the ability to deliver the war head to the United States or at least the west coast. The idea of them having the ability to launch a nuclear strike scares a lot of people especially with the bipolar nature of their leader. Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD) this has stopped world war 3 from breaking out. MAD came about during the cold war basically saying if you bomb us we will bomb you even more so it wont work out for anyone involved. The only thing that ever gets done to try and stop it is putting sanctions on North Korea which is like telling a kid not to do something, they are still going to do it and you are giving them even more reason to want to do it. My question to every one in class is do you think it would be better if every one had nukes or no one had any and why ?
Misa Toyoura
2/21/2016 11:40:12 pm
Hi, Christian!
yumi okawara
2/22/2016 12:16:10 am
Hi! I like your statement. In my opinion, nuclear weapons are one of the protections occasionally. However, many countries use in a different way such as North Korea like we learned. We cannot say we are safe anymore. I agree with Misa’s statement; it is expensive to keep nuclear weapons.
Sharelle Smith
2/18/2016 11:18:14 pm
sharelle smith
2/18/2016 11:46:02 pm
North Korea is a global bully and tyrant. I feel sorry for their southern neighbors. They announced they successfully tested a bomb. An announcement that the international world is not so happy about. They are quick to provocation and pretend to want to be diplomatic while the president of that country oppresses its own citizens. The world has repeatedly show its condemnation over its focus on making more and more bombs and missiles. North Korea doesn't care like every countries hope the focus is to become the next global empire. Shame on you is not going to work. The article does state that we do monitor any nuclear development, but all that means is that we know what they are doing. Sanctions are doing nothing to prevent them from testing or making weapons. Is North Korea self sufficient. The article says sanctions arent working. Are they truly a self sufficient country. If globally the world got together wold that stop N.Korea from planning on being destructive. Its not very encouraging to know that all we can do is watch, what good is watching if there is nothing we can do about it. I do not believe bombs serve any purpose other than to put the world in peril. The only reason i think we havent gone to war with North Korea is because Kim continously threatens to take action against south korea and japan. some how russia is a u.s ally but the relationship is strained. Even more worry some is that recently russia declared a year of friendship with n.korea and is condemning the u.s declaring that civilians are being hit during our current war. China is a allie with n.korea, but according to recent reports their relationship are on the rocks. what would be a true sanction for north korea.
Mark De Martini
2/19/2016 09:28:16 am
Sharelle
yumi okawara
2/22/2016 12:32:07 am
Hi, Mark! I read and like your statement. I totally agree with "North Korea will wage war at some point with South Korea." In my opinion, Korean War will never put an end because both countries are still an adversarial relationship and they do not want to make them up anymore. I wish they would be close-knit.
Jessie Chen
2/19/2016 04:59:48 pm
I knew that North Korea have conducted their fourth nuclear test in February, but the new thing I have learned from this article is that North Korea also stated that it had a test about a small H-bomb. The nuclear test led a condemnation by the Security Council: China, South Korea, and Japan, which are its neighbors, and of course, raising the United States’ attention. These tests are a way for IMS to demonstrate its technical capabilities. They do this through seismic monitoring, which is a method to detect earthquakes that also catches nuclear explosions. Data shows that each subsequent North Korean test has yielded greater magnitude than the last. North Korea keeps launching nuclear power via long range missiles to publicize its power. Although nuclear weapons are only applied twice during the WWII, which the United States dropped two atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, every nation have seen the result of using nuclear weapons. I wish these weapons never existed because they only lead to tragedy when they are applied to country/people, and some nations even use those weapons to frighten other countries such as North Korea. However, I admit that it is a power to balance the relationship between county and country. For example, I would say it could be an ultimate means to make sure we live in a peaceful world, to maintain the balance while there was country which didn’t want to corporate with sustaining world peace. My question is: Does there have any option which nuclear weapons exist but are not used for warfare?
Abhisheak Sharma
2/21/2016 04:50:21 pm
Hey Jessie,
Christian Trinidad
2/21/2016 10:35:12 pm
Hi jessie
Misa Toyoura
2/21/2016 11:45:36 pm
Hi, Jessie.
yumi okawara
2/22/2016 12:00:21 am
I agree with your statement. Many countries know the result in nuclear weapons and a disaster waiting to happen. Especially, Japan has already had experienced three times: dropping the atomic bomb in two places and exploding nuclear power planet at Fukushima. I do disagree that nuclear weapon exists in this world, but it’s the fact that we are depending on nuclear power.
Abhisheak Sharma
2/19/2016 11:50:22 pm
I learned North Korea has performed nuclear testing four times over the years from 2006 to 2016. The latest test occurred during January,6, 2016. The rest of the world is against with North Korea's nuclear testing, especially its close neighbors like United States, China, South Korea and Japan. There is an International Monitoring System which is made to detect any nuclear activity around the globe underground, underwater or atmosphere. This system can help other nations know if one of the country is testing with nuclear weapon and make them well aware if something is coming. Also learned from this article that North Korea is planning to send their own satellite into space. My question to the class is that is it better if other nations stay quiet and not take an assertive approach to North Korea's nuclear testing? I believe that nuclear weapon in a country is needed because if they don't have the nuclear weapon, that country won’t have that much power to make their voices count within the other countries who have a nuclear weapon. I’m a strong believer where I think there should be no nuclear weapons within this world. It creates hate and inferiority between two or more nations who might have nuclear weapon and one who doesn't. The overall point is no nation will benefit from having a nuclear weapon because if one nation sets of a single nuclear warhead, the world will come to end in one month.
wenli zhou
2/21/2016 11:58:27 pm
This article discussed about Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO)’s International Monitoring System (IMS). CTBTO is a multilateral treaty by which states agree to ban all nuclear explosions in all environments, for military or civilian purposes. From my understanding, CTBTO is very important, as the article said, it prevents the development of new nuclear weapons. With CTBTO, we can live in a safer earth, which means I don’t have afraid that a state will blow us up one day because we can detect it ahead of time.
Xiaoguo Zhang
2/22/2016 03:23:36 pm
The most important organization is Six Party Talks. The six-party talks, starting in August 2003 in Beijing, involve North Korea, the United States, China, Russia, the Republic of Korea and Japan. Since North Korea pulled out of the talks in April 2009, the situation on the Korean Peninsula has come to a stiff deadlock. Pyongyang firmly upholds a strategy of developing nuclear weapons while pursuing economic growth. Thus, it is even more difficult for the country to give up its nuclear program. That being the case, the United States has begun to intentionally ignore North Korea, as it is more concerned with the overall global situation. Although President Barack Obama announced shifting U.S. strategic focus to the Asia-Pacific region, turmoil in other part of the world, especially unrest in the Middle East, has distracted him from this objective. At the same time, the Obama administration is also facing numerous domestic troubles. Thus, there is no urgent need for it to invest efforts into the stubborn Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.
Steven Pham
2/27/2016 11:10:34 pm
By reading the article, I see that North Korea are doing nuclear test in secret which bothered the other countries because it breached their safety concerns immensely. Since Jan. 6, nuclear tests have already been conducted under no global surveillance in North Korea. The evidence that leads to this conclusions are the seismic monitoring and radionuclide readings results. The seismic monitoring shows the shaking of the ground due to North Korea's nuclear activities. The shakings are recorded in the years: 2006, 2009, 2013, and 2016. The radionuclide readings complements well with this conclusion because it shows the noble gases in the air such as argon which are formed when nuclear test are conducted. There is low level of argon in North Korea atmosphere but this is mostly like because they conduct their tests underground. This significantly reduces argon emission into their atmosphere. Overall this can cause a really scary situation because once their nuclear warhead have evolved, they can easily reach places where they can never reached before. The question I would like to ask is, How will the other countries react to this and what will their action be?
Michelle Bounkousohn
3/27/2016 01:43:43 pm
In January, independent seismic reports confirmed that North Korea had indeed detonated a hydrogen bomb test, leading to outrage by the UNSC, and states like the US, South Korea and Japan. These seismic tests can accurately determine the source of seismic activity based on the spread and intensity of this activity, with up to 90% probability. Leave a Reply. |
Poli 3 - DeAnza
Winter 2016 |
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