North Korea on Friday set off its most powerful nuclear bomb to date. Earlier in the week, North Korea test-launched three ballistic missiles, and country officials are claiming that North Korea is almost ready to launch nuclear missiles. The nuclear test was condemned by political leaders around the world. China, North Korea's supposed ally, also protested North Korea's "disregard" for international stability. It's believed that China's fear is of a destabilized North Korean government, although China would take advantage of that situation by moving its military quickly to take control of the North. On Sunday, unnamed South Korean government sources said that another nuclear test may be imminent: "Indications have been gathered that the North has completed preparations to conduct a nuclear test at any time in the third tunnel that has not been used previously." Yonhap (Seoul, 9-Sept) and National Post (9-Sep)
After Friday's test, the US threatened to launch additional sanctions against North Korea unilaterally, without seeking permission from the UN Security Council. However, North Korea mocked the threat in its state-run media: "The group of Obama's running around and talking about meaningless sanctions until today is highly laughable, when their 'strategic patience' policy is completely worn out and they are close to packing up to move out. As we've made clear, measures to strengthen the national nuclear power in quality and quantity will continue to protect our dignity and right to live from augmented threats of nuclear war from the United States." Years of international sanctions targeting North Korea have had no effect.... Reuters and Straits Times