North Korea is poised to detonate another of its nuclear weapons in a test, according to John R. Bolton, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, writing in The Wall Street Journal.
North Korea detonated a nuclear weapon in an underground test in October 2006. And more recently, it launched a long-range Taepo Dong-2 missile that arced over Japan and traveled about 3,000 miles before the third stage failed, according to some military analysts. It is estimated to have a 4,000-mile range, if all stages work.
The North has continued its nuclear and missile programs, even while talking to other nations in six-party talks. Although the North may agree at times to denuclearize, it waits until it gets rewards such as petroleum fuels or food for starving masses, and then reverts to type, continuing the illicit programs.
Recently, the North announced that it would begin rebuilding a nuclear reactor that it had partially demolished.
Bolton said if Pyongyang detonates another nuclear weapon, and yet the six-party talks are continued, with the possibility of more food, fuel, electricity or other rewards for the North, that will prove the United States can be treated with contempt.
And other nations such as Iran also will see that talks can be used to tie Washington in knots, he predicted, providing endless amounts of time for rogue nations to pursue further nuclear weapons programs or missile development work.