Well, that was fast. Just three months after the theatrical destruction of the cooling tower at its Yongbyon nuclear complex--an action hailed by some as a victory for diplomacy--North Korea is at it again. From CBN News:
North Korea said Friday it was preparing to restart its nuclear reactor, accusing the United States of failing to fulfill its obligations under an international disarmament-for-aid agreement.
It was the first time the North has confirmed it has begun reversing what it has done so far to roll back its nuclear program, though it has warned it would do so in anger over Washington's failure to remove it from the U.S. terrorism blacklist.
"We are making thorough preparations for restoration" of the Yongbyon nuclear complex, the deputy director-general of North Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hyun Hak Bong, told reporters. He did not say when Yongbyon might begin operating again.
Realy, did anyone expect anything less? North Korea's maniacal regime has been disregardingsimilar "treaties" for years--it is truly infamous for its duplicity and corruption. With Kim Jong Il's health questionable--it's unclear whether he is even in control right now--who knows who is calling the shots in Pyongyang? A nuclear North Korea is a serious destabilizing force that could stir a hornet's nest in East Asia. That's the last thing the world needs, with markets already fluctuating wildly due to the U.S. credit crisis. The first order of business for U.S. inteligence, however, is to figure out whether the "Dear Leader" is still the man in Pyongyang. But never fear. Perhaps Kim's miniature alter ego could stand in for him.