tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post116223695126306625..comments2023-11-03T09:36:22.100-04:00Comments on In From the Cold: North Korea's Next Nuclear Test?George Smileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07049707648660651119noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-1162301172158644332006-10-31T08:26:00.000-05:002006-10-31T08:26:00.000-05:00You are correct on all counts; NK has an advanced ...You are correct on all counts; NK has an advanced CBW capabilities, and they almost certainly have the capability to mount those munitions on short, medium and long-range missiles. We are well aware of this threat, and U.S./ROK military personnel are prepared for this contingency. Ditto for members of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces.<BR/><BR/>However, one of the "nightmare" scenarios for a Korean contingency is that the DPRK might use these weapons against civilian populations, in hopes of inciting mass panic/terror. As I've noted before, the proximity of Seoul to the DMZ is one of our greatest challenges; it's a sprawling megalopolis of 12 million people, and the heart of South Korea's economy, culture and social life. Imagine what might happen if shells filled with nerve gas begin landing among a panicked population. The roads would be clogged with civilians fleeing south, just as U.S./ROK reinforcements are trying to move north. <BR/><BR/>Your final point is also the real bottom line: NK has never abandoned its ultimate goal of reunifying the peninsula under Pyongyang's rule, and they're willing to do whatever it takes to make that happpen, including the use of CBW agents.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12712369389411084085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-1162293950923341902006-10-31T06:25:00.000-05:002006-10-31T06:25:00.000-05:00Spook,I realize that the vast majority of recent f...Spook,<BR/>I realize that the vast majority of recent focus has been on NK's nuclear program; however, I am curious about your opinions on their CBW capabilities. From what I gather, NK's missle program to date is capable of strikes on S. Korea, Japan, and farther with decreasing accuracy, but is not yet able to carry a nuclear payload. Due to this I am far less concerned with NK's nuclear weapons than their CBW arsenal, which from my reading is substantial. Do you think that these tests could just be a distraction from the even bigger threat? This all seems to me to be a complex ploy from the DPRK to at least undermine the stability of the region and at most the build up for an attempt to unify Korea under their rule.Jeremy, Becca, Lorelei & Cassie Ockenfelshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15032265054620322465noreply@blogger.com