What’s happening?
North Korea test-fired seven missiles, one powerful enough to reach Alaska, into the Sea of Japan this week where they fizzled. The political firestorm is just beginning.
A quick synopsis:
By testing missiles, North Korea is flaunting its weapons program; the build up of this program violates the Non-proliferation Treaty of 1970. There are five recognized nuclear states (United States, France, England, China and Russia).
Some of the big guys – the United States, Japan, France and England – want the United Nations Security Council to potentially threaten sanctions (an action like a refusal to trade with a country as a means to convince them to negotiate or change, etc.) if the weapons program isn’t halted.
But China and Russia – members of the Security Council – say no. China exports oil to North Korea.
North Korea says it's not bound by international laws and has the right to test. Russia agrees and North Korea apparently plans to test again.
North Korea is officially known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (D.P.R.K.)
Kim Jong Il is at the helm of North Korea, a communist dictatorship. He took over for his dad, Kim Il-sung, who died in 1994.
