Stupid question from a political dummy...

[Dahlia]

Today, Fox News website posted the headline "Brink of War? U.S. vows appropriate response to missile launch" and "North Korean government promises 'annihilating' nuclear strike if attacked over missile tests ."

I'm the first to admit that I'm a political dummy, and this whole N. Korea thing has me scratching my head... So I'm here, in this very resourceful board, hoping for some answers. Please, I'd sincerely like to know, and am not trying to start any political bickering - I just want to hear from people who won't inundate me with political jargon and would give me the answers in plain english:

1) We (the U.S.) have a nuclear program, do we not?
2) And if so, we would have had to perform various tests related to those nuclear programs, did we not?
3) Many of the developed countries have nuclear programs too, do they not?
4) And if so... How can we say that N. Korea doesn't have any rights to a nuclear program of its own? It's only launching a "test" missile, right? How many countries have done that already with our blessing? Who are we to dictate who has the right to bear arms? Self-protection is everyone's right, is it not?

I'm almost afraid to post this in fear that it might be taken as sarcasm to incite controversy and bickerings, but since my view seems so opposite to that presented by the media, I feel that I must me missing something colossal... Please enlighten me: Why does N. Korea not have the same right as any other nation armed with nuclear weapons?

(Okay, squeezing my eyes shut and hitting the "Submit" button...)

[MKSquared]

First, I'm not an expert on ANY of this, and I had to do a little digging. That being said ...

The answer to nearly every one of your questions is the "Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty."

Under the treaty, only 5 countries are allowed to have nuclear weapons: UK, France, Russia, US, and China. (Those are also the same countries who make up the permanent seats in the UN Security Council.) These countries had nuclear weapons already when the treaty was signed (1970).

One of the big deals is that North Korea had signed the treaty, but has since withdrawn. They were the first county to ever withdraw from the treaty.

You may be asking about other countries that you've heard have nuclear capabilities: India, Pakistan, Israel ... they didn't sign the treaty.

Anyway, I hope that gives you a starting-off point. :)

[Gumbeaux]

1) We (the U.S.) have a nuclear program, do we not?

Yes

2) And if so, we would have had to perform various tests related to those nuclear programs, did we not?
Yes


3) Many of the developed countries have nuclear programs too, do they not? No

4) And if so... How can we say that N. Korea doesn't have any rights to a nuclear program of its own?

Only five states are allowed by the NPT to possess nuclear weapons-France, the People's Republic of China, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.


.

[Robyn1007]

I think much of the concern also has to do with the volatility of their leader (I don't remember his name at the moment). He hasn't ever shown himself to be a man of reason and someone other countries can trust. Its not just a matter of N. Korea protecting itself but also attacking another country in what seems like an unprovoked manner. (Let's not turn this into an argument about Iraq 'cause we all know that would get nasty)

[AzAnne]

I think much of the concern also has to do with the volatility of their leader (I don't remember his name at the moment).

Kim Jong-Il (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Jong_Il)
probably more info than wanted

[Robyn1007]

Kim Jong-Il (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Jong_Il)
probably more info than wanted

Thanks, I couldn't remember and didn't have the desire to go searching at the moment. :)

[Dahlia]

The answer to nearly every one of your questions is the "Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty."

Under the treaty, only 5 countries are allowed to have nuclear weapons: UK, France, Russia, US, and China. (Those are also the same countries who make up the permanent seats in the UN Security Council.) These countries had nuclear weapons already when the treaty was signed (1970).

One of the big deals is that North Korea had signed the treaty, but has since withdrawn. They were the first county to ever withdraw from the treaty.

You may be asking about other countries that you've heard have nuclear capabilities: India, Pakistan, Israel ... they didn't sign the treaty.


Ah... That helps a LOT. But... Okay, here are the next stupid questions:

1) Did N. Korea withdrew from the treaty in a legal (for lack of better word) or illegal manner? You know? Some contracts allow you an "out"? Did N. Korea withdraw in a manner that was allowed by the treaty, or was it a "breach of contract" type of deal? (Or do I not understand that a treaty HAS NO "out"?)
2) And once they left, doesn't that put them in the same category as India, Pakistan, and Israel that you mentioned?

Thanks for the education :o

[GingerPow]

Ah... That helps a LOT. But... Okay, here are the next stupid questions:
Dahlia - none of your questions are stupid! I think they are quite good. I'm learning here too. :)

[AzAnne]

Dahlia,
Wikipedia is FULL of information on the NPT (and anything else you could think of), though it might not answer your specific "legal-illegal" withdraw question.

I've spent hours there reading/researching and just getting lost in information

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_Non-Proliferation_Treaty)

North Korea (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Korea)

[Gumbeaux]

North Korea is definitely a threat. Its leadership has threatened to annihilate the United States and its development of nuclear weapons and three stage rockets mean that these threats should be taken seriously.

[luv2run]

North Korea is definitely a threat. Its leadership has threatened to annihilate the United States and its development of nuclear weapons and three stage rockets mean that these threats should be taken seriously.
Absolutely. Clear and definite threat.

[GingerPow]

So NOT stupid of a question! CNN announcing that the U.S. has confirmation N. Korea launched 6 missles today. All went down in the sea of Japan and was not a threat to the U.S.

N. Korea is being considered a global threat, not just to the U.S.

[Aubergine]

((Dahlia,)) don't feel you have to apologize nor put yourself down for not being able to keep up with all of this. right now, i have all i can do to even attempt to grasp what's going on in NJ State, much less our own city, much less the country and world at large.

which is why, for my part, i read newspapers, real newsprint newspapers. that way, if i find something compelling, i can put it aside for further reflection. i avoid TV "news" like the plague, but sometimes catch glimpses when others are watching. i esp. pay att'n to the op-ed pages, to read others' thoughts without being shouted at by loudmouths, as on tv.

i do try to watch the thoughtful sunday morning shows, but it's not an easy situation for anyone to comprehend, although' plenty will insist that they do.

i've been a 'dove' my entire life, but i've learned enough by now to know that i wouldn't engage in any kind of discussion about the current war. i have no first-hand grasp of the issues; neither would my opponent, in all likelihood, but i'm willing to admit what i know not, and am not interested in theoretical discussions on this one. my personal belief is that us 'average' folks have no clue what's going on behind closed doors that is fueling all of this, and will continue to do so.