North Korean Nukes?

I have been following the NK situation quite intently for the last few years. There have been signs of an impending change in government over the last few months that the MSM have mostly ignored. This article is the exception. It adds a few more clues to a hopefully impending collapse of the current NK government. The massive explosion a few months back seemed to be an assassination attempt on Kim Jong-Il, an assassination attempt on his son in Geneva and stories of purges and gun-play between the various cliques of NK leaders. A video shows dissent posters and apparently shows an active group of internal dissenters. There were earlier reports of Kim propaganda posters being defaced or removed without penalty and that Kim was no longer referred to as the “Dear Leader” (sorry can’t find link). To top it off, Kim hasn’t been seen in public for months and new propaganda coming out is using old images.

Knowing these facts, what should we make of NK’s recent announcement of having “Nukes” (yes they specifically used the colloquial term)? In the past they have issued aggressive statements or used a provocative measure to turn up the heat and pressure the US for concessions. Under Bush these have mostly failed as Bush is using the same routine with Kim as he did Arafat. We have to remember that even if there is a power struggle in the top ranks of the NK government, these people are also totalitarians who would like to be the next “Dear Leader.” The successful overthrow of Saddam and the vote in Iraq would have scared them just as much as Kim since they would have to face justice from those the government has oppressed and killed. If there is a power struggle both sides benefit from any sort of delay allowing them to consolidate or re-consolidate power. Neither side wants a total collapse of the NK government as both sides are keen on the absolute power that comes with running the world’s most totalitarian state.

I won't believe that NK has nukes until they test one. I need to see and taste the pudding.