Tensions On The Korean Penninsula

Earlier this weekend, the BBC had a brief article regarding some recent developments between North and South Korea. It appears that Norther Korea has been able to weaponise enough nuclear plutonium stock to be able to create four or five weapons. However, Pyongyang has refused to allow inspectors any verification of the weapons if they do exist.

I don’t think much will come of this, from the outside this appears to be more posturing by Kim Jong Il than anything else. North Korea has been under significant pressure in the Six Party talks over the last year or two and with economic aide waiting on the sidelines I doubt Pyongyang would want to jeopardize that to much considering their current circumstances. Additionally the open invitation to the incoming Obama administration would seem to support this particular conclusion that this is mere posturing in an attempt to sweeten the deal for North Korea.

For the time being, South Korea has taken a few precautionary measures but no other moves have been made in this particular chess match. Hopefully it stays that way.