North (Korea) has nuke missiles: source

Korea Joongang Daily ^ | September 23, 2014 | Jeong Yong-Soo and Ser Myo-Ja

[C19fan]

North Korea is developing new missiles capable of carrying tactical nuclear warheads, South Korean intelligence authorities told the JoongAng Ilbo yesterday.

The North has performed a series of test-firings of new short-range missiles since Aug. 14. Designated as KN-10, the new ground-to-ground missiles are believed to be designed to carry nuclear payloads.

“We’ve come to the conclusion that the rockets test-fired three times since last month are new missiles based on their speeds and altitudes,” a senior South Korean government official told the JoongAng Ilbo.

“Based on our analysis and other intelligence, we concluded that they are intended to carry tactical nuclear weapons.”

[C19fan]

Sounds like the Norks are preparing for a Sampson option; I am going down but taking you with me.

[driftdiver]

Amazing how quickly the world is falling apart.

[ConservativeMan55]

bttt

[Labyrinthos]

Very disingenuous headline. There's a big difference between “has nuke missiles” and is “developing” missiles that are “capable” of carrying nuclear warheads.

[edpc]

It's actually been a long game over the past few decades.

Obviously, it has roots in the Iranian revolution. Move forward about 15 years to the Agreed Framework NK nuclear deal.

There has been a lot of cooperation between N. Korea and Iran on nuclear and missile research.

Since 2000, Iran has had blueprints for a compact nuclear warhead. They received it during the ill-conceived Operation Merlin. All they required was the fissile material.

The reprocessing of fuel rods into plutonium by NK has provided that raw material. There has been some debate about the NK nuclear test results. Some believe they were "fizzles" due to the impurities in the plutonium. Others believe they were intentionally low-yield, designed to be EMP devices.

I know it all may sound a bit like a tin foil hat scheme, but the pieces fit and they make an ugly picture.

[driftdiver]

“The reprocessing of fuel rods into plutonium by NK has provided that raw material. There has been some debate about the NK nuclear test results. Some believe they were “fizzles” due to the impurities in the plutonium. “

I lived in SK for 3 years while in the Air Force. The North has a lot of problems but they aren’t to be underestimated. Especially since China would probably side with them if a shooting war started.

The population of the North has grown up in a culture where children report on their parents and brothers report on brothers. Family is incredibly important to them and yet they have broken many of those bonds.

[Age of Reason]

The population of the North has grown up in a culture where children report on their parents and brothers report on brothers. Family is incredibly important to them and yet they have broken many of those bonds.

Or is it that their familial instincts have been conditioned to see their nation as their family with their dear leader as their father?

[driftdiver]

“Or is it that their familial instincts have been conditioned to see their nation as their family with their dear leader as their father?”

He does push that and I’m sure its a factor. Probably depends on what part of the country they grow up in and how much indoctrination they are subject too.

If they catch one person doing something “against the state” they will usually punish the entire family.