I think it indeed was a nuclear bomb. A very small, and dirty one, but still.

Of course, countries like Russia and the US have made tens or hundreds of tests to perfect their nuclear warheads to the devastating effectiveness they have now. But dirty or not, I actually think NK has it, which is very scary.

They may not outright sell to rogue states in the middle-east, but technology sure can be sold on paper.

The reason why we are still not seeing a direct reaction from NK's neighbors, or the superpowers of the world (i.e. US, Russia, China) is because of the UN's general failure. In my opinion, the UN has been failing its objects left and right, just like the League of Nations had.

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Several reasons why I think it was a fake:

- North Korea does not have the technology to contain the radiation tight enought that nobody can detect it.

- North Korea doesn't give a shit about the environment or it's people. Even if they knew how to, they wouldn't spend the resources to contain the radiation beyond the immediate short term safety concerns.

- Kim Jong Il is known for grand-standing. If it was real he would have made sure everyone could confirm it.

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Wake up every day that would be a start.

What changes would you make in the UN to make it more effective?

I think the veto power of the 5 perminant security council members should be stripped and a simple majority should rule from now on. The reason the UN never does anything is that one of those 5 members always vetos every resolution calling for any kind of action.

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non sibi sed patriae

Your idea would make the greatest difference in the UN - I agree. The problem is that none of the so-called 5 "superpowers" would want to be "put down" to the same level as all other nations in a simple majority rule. And thus the UN would start breaking up. And without these superpowers, the UN wouldn't be capable of taking action. It's a fragile situation.

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Should be interesting now that the SG of the UN is a S. Korean.

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An unwavering defender of those I see worth protecting.

"promote the general welfare, not provide the general welfare"

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

They would not exactly be "put down" to the same level as the other nations. They would still be allowed to be perminant members of the Security Council. Since they are the most influential nations on the planet (both militarily and economically), they do deserve to have more influence. I think that being allowed to be perminant members of the security council is enough.

But you are right, they would refuse such a change. What most Americans do not realize, is that over the last 20 years, the United States has vetoed more Security Council resolutions than any other council member. While our press always made a big deal when China or Russia vetoed a resolution against Iran or Iraq (before the war), they rarely make big news when the US vetoes resoultions against Israel or Indonesia.

And furthermore, because of the veto power, not only are allies of the 5 perminant members safe from being punished by the UN, but so are the 5 members themselves. And sad to say, many of the violations of International law over the past 50 years have come from the 5 members themselves.

No nation should be above the law.

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-General Jack D. Ripper

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