North Korea's detonation of a nuclear device Monday appears not to have been a significant technical advance over its first underground test three years ago. But it has triggered a swifter, stronger and more uniform wave of international condemnation, most notably from the isolated nation's historical allies, China and Russia. Full Story »
Posted by Derek Hawkins
The story emphasizes the current responses, with a few bits of history of the national relationships. It is a bit weak on detailing the actions of the Bush administration that the North Koreans blame for provoking the breakdown of the previous agreements.
Chinese reaction to Monday’s test was notable for being far less ambivalent than its response three years ago. Then, Beijing expressed concern that its neighbor had violated its commitments, but its state media denounced the United States’ confrontational policies and blamed the Bush administration for cutting off aid and provoking the crisis.
North Korea is rejecting all talks, accusing Obama of continuing the Bush administration’s “hostile policy.”
