That’s the message from the tyrants of Pyongyang in the wake of yesterday’s fireworks on the Korean peninsula.

The North Korean government test fired 6 missiles yesterday, and another missile today, the test included both short range and long range missiles, including the much talked about Taepodong-2, which failed. The Taepodong-2 is rumored to have the ability to strike at targets within the US, but this capability was not realized by the missile’s utter failure yesterday.

This multiple missile launch hardly resembles a test and is more akin to warning, particularly to the US and Japan. The North Koreans have watched as their fellow tyrants in Iran have garnered much media attention and interests since the revelation of Iran’s nuclear program. Iran, unlike North Korea has yet to develop a workable nuclear weapon and the world has clamored to prevent this from transpiring.

In reality, Iran would be a far more dangerous foe if it were to acquire nuclear weapons. While North Korea is certainly dangerous, it could be argued that for all his foolhardiness, Kim Jong Il is far more rational than the Mullahs of Tehran. The Iranians have a long history of state sponsored terrorism and would most certainly proliferate once they develop an indigenous weapons capability. A war with Iran would also be far more devastating to the world economy, as such Iran has garnered much attention, while the 6 – party talks over North Korea have languished in obscurity. The realization that North Korea (as with most nations) is unlikely to relinquish its nuclear capability has also ensured that North Korea has taken a back seat, unlike Iran where some political leaders feel there is hope (in reality the Iranian situation is just as hopeless).

In light of this situation, North Korea has decided to up the ante and refocus attention on its nuclear program. Clearly Kim and company are eyeing the appeasement package that the West recently offered to Iran, including a host of financial incentives and technology transfers. With its economy in a shambles and mass starvation only a few rain drops away, Pyongyang desperately needs western aid. What they may get however, is far different.

Japan, in particular regards North Korea as a preeminent threat, and may move toward full scale re-militarization to counter that threat. After yesterday’s missile “tests” Japan has called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to coordinate its response…Japan might as well call a meeting of the Little Rascals for all the good it will do…in any case look for an increasingly volatile situation on the Korean Peninsula.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5149868.stm