Northern Nuclear Nastiness

Thanks to the Guardian

North Korea shocked the world yesterday by testing a nuclear weapon!!! (well, not everyone was surprised, but it sure surprised us at US Democrazy)

That’s right, on May 25 North Korea exploded a nuclear bomb underground. Now don’t worry… the world is not going to take this lying down (or sitting down). In fact, President Obama has already stood up and condemned the test.

Much of the globe has followed suit .  Even neighboring China, the closest thing North Korea has to a friend, has condemned the test. It seems nobody likes nuclear bombs being exploded near their border.

One nation that has been surprisingly disinterested about this hibbub is South Korea. Although South Korea did officially condemn the test, many Koreans are still mourning the suicide of former South Korean President, Roh Moo-Hyun, and have paid little attention to the North’s actions.

So why the test?

It may be a sign of transition within the North Korean government. Kim Jong-il’s health has been quite bad recently and perhaps before he steps down he wants to be remembered as the man who brought nuclear power to North Korea. (Sure beats being remembered as the bad guy in the movie Team America: World Police.)

What ever the reason North Korea’s actions, this is going to be a test for the Obama Administration. So how should President Obama handle this delicate and dangerous scenario (darned if we know)?