North Korea goes nuclear.An unstable country joins the "nuclear club" On October 9, North Korea set off its first-ever test blast of a nuclear weapon. The test raised fears around the world because the tiny nation is ruled by Kim Jong Il Kim Jong Il or Kim Chong Il (born Feb. 16, 1941, Siberia, Russia, U.S.S.R.) Son of Kim Il-sung. He was designated his father's successor in 1980 and became North Korea's de facto leader on his father's death in 1994. , an unstable dictator (see JS Oct. 16 & 23, p. 11). North Korea's neighbors (see map) are particularly concerned about being in harm's way harm's way n. A risky position; danger: a place for the children that is out of harm's way; ships that sail into harm's way. . But the U.S. and other countries also worry that Kim might sell nuclear weapons to terrorists. Nuclear weapons are far more destructive than conventional (regular) ones. They have been used in a conflict only twice, during World War II. The U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, in 1945. The more powerful of those bombs--the one that hit Hiroshima--had a force of 15 kilotons. (One kiloton kil·o·ton n. Abbr. kt 1. A unit of weight or capacity equal to 1,000 metric tons. 2. An explosive force equivalent to that of 1,000 metric tons of TNT. equals 1,000 tons of a regular explosive, such as TNT TNT: see trinitrotoluene. TNT in full trinitrotoluene Pale yellow, solid organic compound made by adding nitrate (−NO2) groups to toluene. .) It killed an estimated 70,000 to 80,000 people instantly. Another 70,000 died later, most of radiation poisoning. Today's nuclear weapons are deadlier than ever. A single modern nuclear weapon may have up to 60 megatons--60 million tons--of explosive energy. North Korea's recent test blast was only 1 kiloton, but further development could lead to stronger weapons. The 1968 Nuclear Nonproliferation non·pro·lif·er·a·tion adj. Of, relating to, or calling for an end to the acquisition of nuclear weapons by additional nations: a nonproliferation treaty. ("not multiplying") Treaty limited the nuclear club to five countries: the U.S., the Soviet Union (now Russia), China, the United Kingdom, and France. Other treaties banned nuclear-weapons tests. In 1998, however, India and Pakistan carried out such tests. Experts believe that Israel already has nuclear arms, and that Iran plans to build them. On October 14, the United Nations Security Council approved sanctions (penalties, usually economic) against North Korea. Kim called the sanctions "a declaration of war." But under pressure from China, he reconsidered. Ten days after the test blast, Kim apologized to Chinese officials. "We have no plans for additional nuclear tests," he said. The question is: Can he be trusted? * Use a term from this list to correctly complete each sentence. China, Iraq, Japan, Kim II Sung, Kim Jong II, Kim Possible, the Korean War Korean War, conflict between Communist and non-Communist forces in Korea from June 25, 1950, to July 27, 1953. At the end of World War II, Korea was divided at the 38th parallel into Soviet (North Korean) and U.S. (South Korean) zones of occupation. , Russia, South Korea, terrorists, UNICEF UNICEF (y  `nĭsĕf'), the United Nations Children's Fund, an affiliated agency of the United Nations. , the United Nations Security Council, the U.S., the Vietnam War Vietnam War, conflict in Southeast Asia, primarily fought in South Vietnam between government forces aided by the United States and guerrilla forces aided by North Vietnam. , World War I, World War II 1. The dictator of North Korea is--. 2. Atomic bombs (the first nuclear weapons) were used against Japan during--. 3. World leaders fear that Kim may sell weapons to--. 4. Sanctions against North Korea were approved by--. 5. Ten days after his October 9 nuclear-weapons test, Kim apologized to officials from --. ANSWER 1. Kim Jong II 2. World War II 3. terrorists 4. the United Nations Security Council 5. China |
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