Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Kim Jong-Il a 'Pigmy', 'Tyrant' US Will Miss

Like a good dictator, he kept N. Korea's nukes in check

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 14, 2008 3:59 PM CDT
Email

(Newser) – The Bush administration felt a pending bittersweet goodbye when news leaked that North Korea's Kim Jong-Il likely had a stroke last month, the New York Times reports. True, officials had called Kim a "tyrant" and a "pigmy," but they knew he kept close tabs on his nation's nuclear arsenal. Now North Korea, like Pakistan, is a volatile country without a dictator to keep its nukes in check.

US intelligence officials are reshuffling their nuclear deterrence plans, fearing that groups in nations like North Korea may seize nukes during times of upheaval. But a Harvard prof disagrees, saying it "is very difficult for me to imagine someone arriving at a North Korean facility with guns blazing and emerging with a nuclear weapon." One bit of good news: North Korea only has enough plutonium to make about a dozen nuclear weapons.

In this Korean Central News Agency's undated photo released Aug. 14, 2008 by Korea News Service in Tokyo, North Korea's leader Kim Jong Il, left, inspects women troops.
In this Korean Central News Agency's undated photo released Aug. 14, 2008 by Korea News Service in Tokyo, North Korea's leader Kim Jong Il, left, inspects women troops.   (AP Photo)
Outgoing Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf salutes, as he leaves the presidential house in Islamabad, Pakistan on Monday, Aug. 18, 2008.
Outgoing Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf salutes, as he leaves the presidential house in Islamabad, Pakistan on Monday, Aug. 18, 2008.   (AP Photo)
South Korean police officers stand guard behind a picture of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il during an anti-North Korea rally in front of the venue for high-level talks between South and North Korea.
South Korean police officers stand guard behind a picture of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il during an anti-North Korea rally in front of the venue for high-level talks between South and North Korea.   (AP Photo)
Han Sung-Joo, a U.S.-Korea expert, asks: 'The question is, is North Korea more or less likely to give up its nuclear weapons if there is a government change?'
Han Sung-Joo, a U.S.-Korea expert, asks: 'The question is, is North Korea more or less likely to give up its nuclear weapons if there is a government change?'   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

North Korea has kept status quo so far
Washington Times

Who's next in line?
Times (UK)

US, South Korea prepare for new regime
Donga

 
North Korea • Pakistan • Pervez Musharraf • nuclear weapons • Kim Jong Il • international governments

More Newser Stories

North Korea Punishes 'Insincere' Mourners

Kim Jong Il's Body to Be Put on Display—Forever

North Korea Open for Tourism Again

N. Korea to Free Prisoners for Kim Jong Il's Birthday

Musharraf Plans Return to Pakistan, Faces Arrest
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne