N. Korea: The Stupidity of Tyranny

Its not just former Canadian strongmen that are complete idiots when they attempt to exercise what little powers they might have:

Reacting to the Japanese media’s report on the suspicion, a North Korean government mouthpiece even threatened to turn Japan into a ``nuclear sea of fire.’’

What the latest series of Pyongyang’s saber-rattling add up to seems to be quite clear: they are upping the ante to the full for the next negotiations, which will likely be resumed after the U.S. presidential election in November. Pyongyang used to resort to similar displays of military prowess as a means of breaking through its diplomatic isolation, economic difficulties and domestic instability in the past. But the time has long past for the North to drop the strategy that has outlived its efficacy to all appearances.

Back to the subject, N. Korea's only friend thinks they are full of it:

China doubts Korean claim
By Hamish McDonald
China Correspondent
Beijing
September 30, 2004

China is embarking on a new round of diplomacy to keep alive the six-party talks it hopes will settle the confrontation between the United States and North Korea over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons activity.

It will host a visit next month by North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly president Kim Yong-nam, the most senior figure that secretive Pyongyang usually presents to the world in place of top leader Kim Jong-il.

....when China will quietly say: "Please shut the hell up".