# North Korea Nuclear Test? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 12, 2004, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-nuclear-test/264108 "2004-09-12T04:09:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-nuclear-test/264108/21 "2004-09-12T04:49:06Z")
> [@GaWd](#): > > You said “weapons”, Not “nukes”, I beg your pardon. I’m assuming that since they sell missiles to other countries, they will be offering discounts if the customer buys a nuclear warhead to go with them. _mea culpa_ ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-nuclear-test/264108/22 "2004-09-12T04:50:16Z")
> [@cmason32](#): > > Since I’ve already accepted your earlier apology, I think we can let this part of the debate die, yes? But of course. Had you posted 1 minute earlier I wouldn’t have continued it. > [@Little Nemo](#): > > I think I speak for all of us, Sam, when I say we’re getting worried about these mood swings. Truly? And I don’t even know you, Nemo. I appreciate your concern, though there really isn’t any need for it. Maybe after November and with a job change, you’ll see me back to my old, chipper self. Just a little frustration, not enough fatty foods, cigarettes or alcohol(i.e.-diet+quitting smoking+marriage induced alcohol abstention, AKA growing up). Cheers! 😉 Sam ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-nuclear-test/264108/23 "2004-09-12T04:52:40Z")
If the september 9th blast had been nuclear, its fallout cloud would have reached Japan by now, and we would know. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-nuclear-test/264108/24 "2004-09-12T05:05:47Z")
The media here would be going apeshit if it were even suspected. So far, nothing. The closest I found was a story in this morning’s Daily Yomiuri about [South](http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/newse/20040912wo44.htm) Korean nuclear tests in the 90’s. ---
**Author:** ![cmason32](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@cmason32](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmason32)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-nuclear-test/264108/25 "2004-09-12T05:10:05Z")
> [@Sublight](#): > > The media here would be going apeshit if it were even suspected. So far, nothing. > > The closest I found was a story in this morning’s Daily Yomiuri about [South](http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/newse/20040912wo44.htm) Korean nuclear tests in the 90’s. The store is being picked up. Google lists over 100 stories on it so far. > **[Google News](https://news.google.com/topstories?hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en)** > > Comprehensive up-to-date news coverage, aggregated from sources all over the world by Google News. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-nuclear-test/264108/26 "2004-09-12T05:17:52Z")
> [@Squink](#): > > If the september 9th blast had been nuclear, its fallout cloud would have reached Japan by now, and we would know. Well, the [New York Times](http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/12/international/asia/12nuke.html?ei=5006&en=87e70c368a1790ca&ex=1095566400&partner=ALTAVISTA1&pagewanted=print&position=) is reporting the blast within the context of the story about nuclear weapons, but is not saying the blast was a nuclear blast. Perhaps we will know when various governments choose to tell us, or when a reputable independent third party offers up such evidence that said governments don’t turn around and attempt to discredit such claims. ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-nuclear-test/264108/27 "2004-09-12T05:18:48Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > …they will be offering discounts if the customer buys a nuclear warhead to go with them. > _mea culpa_ Well, that is a pretty good deal. My grandmother wouldn’t even pass it up! ---
**Author:** ![Necro\_Romancer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/50afbb/32.png) [@Necro\_Romancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Necro_Romancer)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-nuclear-test/264108/28 "2004-09-12T05:24:20Z")
> [@cmason32](#): > > The store is being picked up. Google lists over 100 stories on it so far. > > [http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&tab=in&ncl=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp\_asiapacific/view/106225/1/.html&filter=0](http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&tab=in&ncl=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/106225/1/.html&filter=0) I’m waiting for the “HELL-PLOSION!!!” headline on Drudge. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-nuclear-test/264108/29 "2004-09-12T06:06:50Z")
If India and Pakistan can not nuke each other despite being pushed right up against each other, I have a small amount of hope that the huge lake between North Korea and the US will act as an effective buffer, assuming Kim Jong Il really is as insane as he is made out to be and would actually try anything more than posture. Even still, I’m suddenly not quite as thrilled to be living in the PNW as I was just a few days ago. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-nuclear-test/264108/30 "2004-09-12T06:13:35Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Actually, I don’t believe we sell them to folks in the Mid East. > I’m not happy with Bush having the football, but MAD worked with the Soviets, Dr. Strangelove not withstanding. > > Is my grammar correct on that? > 🙂 **Notwithstanding** is one word but you did indeed use it correctly. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Long\_Road](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5a626/32.png) [@The\_Long\_Road](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Long_Road)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-nuclear-test/264108/31 "2004-09-12T06:33:22Z")
Seems odd that they would do an above ground test unless it was meant to show the world that they have nukes. North Korea is sure to have abandoned mines which would work well for testing the weapon. If they did want the world to know they have nukes through this event, a press release about the test would have been the way to go. As for the “not cool” part of North Korea having nukes, I’m in agreement with that opinion. North Korea having nukes means an increased chance for a fuck up leading to a global exchange. The US having nukes while wanting others to not have them does not diminish this. Russia, France,England and China also have nuclear weapons and I’m sure none of them would too thrilled with Kim Jong Il joining the nuclear club. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-nuclear-test/264108/32 "2004-09-12T07:33:34Z")
At one time, the US had spy sats which were specifically designed to identify nuke tests. There was a big flap back in the 80s when one of them picked up a flash in South Africa. I can remember there being a lot of questions about what it was and if SA really did have the bomb. There’s been some speculation that SA and Israel were jointly working on a nuclear weapons program and the blast spotted by the sat was a test of this. It’s believed that SA abandoned their nuclear program shortly after this (presumably under pressure by the US), and that the Israeli’s continued on their own. It seems logical to me that we’d still have some of those birds up there and that they’d have picked something up. So the questions are: Why’s the US government being quiet about it? Did they miss the blast? Or was it spotted and found not to be from a nuke? Or was it a nuke? And what are we going to do about it? ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-nuclear-test/264108/33 "2004-09-12T07:45:53Z")
If it was a nuke, I think confirmed headlines would have been screaming about it by now. ---
**Author:** ![cmason32](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@cmason32](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmason32)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-nuclear-test/264108/34 "2004-09-12T07:52:29Z")
CNN is currently reporting that a US Official is speculating that it may be a forest fire. But the BBC is reporting that there appears to be a crater left over from the blast. I guess we’ll find out soon enough. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-nuclear-test/264108/35 "2004-09-12T11:54:19Z")
> [@The Long Road](#): > > Seems odd that they would do an above ground test unless it was meant to show the world that they have nukes. North Korea is sure to have abandoned mines which would work well for testing the weapon. If they did want the world to know they have nukes through this event, a press release about the test would have been the way to go. Well, yeah, but the partial test-ban treaty (or whatever it’s called) that banned above-ground and atmospheric testing means that I’m sure that at least the US and Russia got good at seeing the effects of an underground test seismically. ---
**Author:** ![laigle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ce7236/32.png) [@laigle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/laigle)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-nuclear-test/264108/36 "2004-09-12T12:31:40Z")
Wait wait wait, how did Sadaam get the nukes all the way to North Korea? ---
**Author:** ![laigle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ce7236/32.png) [@laigle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/laigle)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-nuclear-test/264108/37 "2004-09-12T12:58:19Z")
Latest from [CNN](http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/09/12/nkorea.blast/index.html) : > [@](#): > > South Korea’s Yonhap news agency is reporting a huge explosion shook North Korea’s northernmost province on Thursday producing a mushroom cloud over 4 kilometers (two miles) wide. Hmm, not sounding like a forest fire so far. > [@](#): > > The blast coincided with the anniversary of North Korea’s founding on Sepember 9 when various military activities are staged. Now it really doesn’t sound like a forest fire. > [@](#): > > The New York Times reported on Saturday that U.S. President George W. Bush and his top advisers recently received intelligence reports that could indicate North Korea is preparing its first nuclear test, citing senior officials with access to the intelligence. This could be bad… > [@](#): > > Yonhap reported the explosion happened in Yanggang province along the Chinese border, the site of Yongjori Missile Base – a large facility with an underground missile firing range. Oh sweet mother of fuck… > [@](#): > > The U.S. official said the cloud could be the result of a forest fire. Never mind folks, we’re okay. Nothing to see here. ---
**Author:** ![Estilicon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/848f3c/32.png) [@Estilicon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Estilicon)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-nuclear-test/264108/38 "2004-09-12T13:22:12Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Actually, I don’t believe we sell them to folks in the Mid East. Israel is in the middle east. U.S.A. is the biggest arm dealer in the world. The american goverment sells weapons to very nasty people or else looks another way while american weapon companies do it. Believe me North Korea has the mora highground in this issue.- ---
**Author:** ![gouda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c77e96/32.png) [@gouda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gouda)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-nuclear-test/264108/39 "2004-09-12T14:33:11Z")
> [@GaWd](#): > > I apologize if I’ve lumped you into a group of people who DO feel it’s ok for us to have all the nukes we do, while demonizing the myriad little shit countries who are developing teeny tiny little stockpiles with no way to attack countries more than a few hundred miles away from them(A la India, Pakistan, N. Korea, Etc.). I hear the argument against N. Korea having nukes and why it’s so important for us to stop them from developing them all the time, and most people I argue with about this think it IS ok for us to have our own little stash. > > Once again, my apologies, but someone had to ask the question of why it’s bad for them and ok for us, don’t you think? > > Sam Hey! India is _not_ a little country. Aside from that, I’m with you 100%… ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2004, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-nuclear-test/264108/40 "2004-09-12T14:33:49Z")
Still no reports from Japanese bloggers with geiger counters. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-nuclear-test/264108.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-nuclear-test/264108.md?page=3)