Quick Guide & Transcript: North Korea claims nuclear test, Experts voice Asian arms race fears

Adjust font size:

(CNN Student News) -- October 10, 2006

Quick Guide

North Korea Threat - Gauge world reaction to North Korea's announcement regarding an underground nuclear test.

Arms Race Brewing? - Understand how a nuclear North Korea could trigger a nuclear arms race in Asia.

Honoring Hispanic Heritage - See how passion took a Hispanic singer to some of the world's greatest opera stages.

Transcript

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

CHRISTINA PARK, CNN STUDENT NEWS ANCHOR: Glad to have you along for CNN Student News! I'm Christina Park. A nuclear claim by North Korea triggers a chain reaction of concern. The crackdown that Washington wants and why the U.N. might be divided about action. Can the "dear leader" be trusted with a doomsday device? A look at North Korea's dictator. Why some want to keep his finger off any nuclear trigger. And in Thailand, a serpent sealed. With a kiss. How this charmer lick-locked his way into the record book.

First Up: North Korea Threat

PARK: First up, world leaders are reacting strongly to a bold nuclear claim by North Korea. Its state media says that country conducted a successful nuclear test Monday. International investigators still can't confirm that, but U.S. and South Korean geologists have confirmed a large underground explosion of some type did take place. President Bush calls the test "unacceptable". He's pushing the U.N. to crackdown hard on the mysterious, isolated communist country. The U.N. Security Council met Monday, but it's unclear whether Russia and China will support sanctions. Sumi Das explains why the test is triggering so much international alarm.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SUMI DAS, CNN REPORTER: Defying international pressure, North Korea has apparently conducted a successful underground nuclear test.

PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH: The proclaimed actions taken by North Korea are unacceptable and deserve an immediate response by the United Nations Security Council.

DAS: Senior U.S. officials say Washington will push for sanctions immediately. But analysts say China and South Korea may be less enthusiastic.

JOE CIRON, CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS: What they fear is it could topple the regime, sending millions of refugees north and south, destabilizing their countries in turn.

DAS: The North Korean ambassador to the U.N. says the Security Council should praise North Korea, not issue reckless resolutions.

PAK GIL YON, NORTH KOREA'S U.N. AMBASSADOR: I am very much proud of our scientists and researchers who have conducted such a very very successful nuclear underground test.

DAS: Asked whether further tests were planned, the ambassador said quote "That will be enough, you don't think so?" The test has provoked concern worldwide. Russia demanded North Korea return to nuclear non-proliferation, and Japan said the test was a serious threat to stability in the region. China stated it's resolute opposition while also calling for calm, and a return to six-party talks.

There is also concern in Washington that North Korea's nuclear technology could end up in the wrong hands. President Bush said the transfer of nuclear weapons or material by North Korea would be considered a grave threat to the U.S. In Washington, I'm Sumi Das for CNN Student News.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Word to the Wise

RACHAEL LEE, CNN STUDENT NEWS REPORTER: A Word to the Wise...proliferation (noun) quick, often excessive, spread or increase

Source: www.dictionary.com

Arms Race Brewing?

PARK: Across Asia, all eyes remain on North Korea. It's feared its nuclear claim will set off a dangerous regional arms race. Last July 4th, North Korea test-fired long and short-range missiles. South Korea and Japan would be within striking distance if those missiles were used as weapons In the past, both countries relied on America's protection. Atika Shubert explains why that might change.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN REPORTER: After North Korea's nuclear test, weapons proliferation experts fear it's just a matter of time before others in the region follow suit.

JOE CIRINCIONE, CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS: What we are worried about is this nuclear reaction chain now spreading through the region - not immediately, but in the next few months.

SHUBERT: Analysts believe Pyongyang may have enough fissile material for six or more nuclear weapons, but its capability to deliver a nuclear payload is still in doubt. Nonetheless, North Korea has tested several long-range missiles - including one that flew over Japan.

SHUBERT: Both Japan and South Korea have previously turned away from the idea of going nuclear - trusting instead in the security umbrella provided by U.S. forces stationed in both countries. Japanese officials say that policy hasn't changed in the immediate aftermath of the North Korean test. But North Korea's belligerent behavior may push both countries towards a reassessment.

SHUBERT: Japan is in a particularly good position to pursue a nuclear weapons program quickly. It already has a stockpile of plutonium from its nuclear energy plants. And experts say it wouldn't take long to convert that into a nuclear arsenal.

JOE CIRINCIONE, CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS: What's South Korea going to do - a country that used to have a nuclear weapons program that U.S. pressure convinced them to end in the 70's - Taiwan, similarly, had a weapons program we convinced them to end - Japan is sitting on 10 tons of plutonium that they have reprocessed from their reactors - they could make a nuclear weapon within months of a decision to do so. They've been very irritated that India has seemed to get nuclear status -- now getting blessed by the United States. Now to have North Korea have a nuclear weapon, I believe you're going to see a lot more discussion in Japan about whether they should recalculate their nuclear options. And of course, meanwhile, you have Iran watching this very closely. If North Korea gets away with this, this will encourage Iran to continue with its program. This is the nuclear reaction chain you've got to stop before it gets out of control.

SHUBERT: Japan's new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was visiting South Korea when the news broke. He called for harsh measures against the North - but did not specify. In office for barely a month, he is seen as a hawk - arguing for Japan to develop the ability to deliver pre-emptive strikes.

SHUBERT: North Korea has thrown down the gauntlet. Now Japan and others in the region must decide: Will they respond with restraint, or will they feel compelled to build nuclear arsenals of their own? Atika Shubert, CNN Tokyo.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Fact Check

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN REPORTER: Brutal dictator. Recluse. Enigmatic cult leader. Just a few of the words western analysts use to describe North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. In North Korea, Kim is officially referred to as "Dear Leader" or "Great Successor." A title bestowed after the death of his father Kim il-Sung in 1994. Some regard him as a dangerous mad man. But not veteran Asia journalist Jasper Becker. In his view, Kim is a skilled tyrant whose each move is calculated to gain North Korea the international respect he believes is deserving. Western analysts say Kim was born in Siberia in 1941, when his father was in exile in the former Soviet Union. According to North Korean accounts, Kim was born in a log cabin at is father's guerrilla base on North Korean's highest mountain in 1942.

Honoring Hispanic Heritage

PARK: We're honoring Hispanic Heritage all this week, with reports on how Hispanic-Americans contribute to U.S. society. Today's installment profiles a woman who's made a difference by raising her voice - and it's not your mother! Carl Azuz takes the stage with opera singer Ana Maria Martinez.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CARL AZUZ, CNN REPORTER: She is one of the most famous sopranos in the world. Ana Maria Martinez's voice has been heard on stages around the world... and during Hispanic Heritage Month, she was recognized for her achievements as a Latin opera singer.

ANA MARIA MARTINEZ, SOPRANO: It is a world full of fantasy, and I offer it in a beautiful way to the public, so they can dream and enjoy.

AZUZ: Martinez has sung in the world's most important opera houses. She has recorded one record and received numerous awards in her career. She says that no matter how much she adores opera, she identifies herself first as a Hispanic woman of Puerto Rican origin.

MARTINEZ: First I am Latin, I believe that this identity always comes first and everything else follows. What I do is great part of my identity, but it is not everything that I am.

AZUZ: She says that the discovery of self is an internal process that is a lifetime's work.

MARTINEZ: It is not only a competition to stand out in a certain field, but a place to discover one's inner self and what we have to offer others. In my case this is my art.

AZUZ: For us to be successful, Martinez says that we should follow our hearts' interests.

MARTINEZ: Have faith in your dream, no matter what others say, even in a competitive field. It doesn't matter if it only makes sense to you.

AZUZ: Her family and friends have been her greatest influence and support along her career path.

MARTINEZ: That is the one thing that counts, to have that support, to have people who believe in you.

AZUZ: Martinez received support at an early age from her mother, who was a singer too, and her father who was a psychoanalyst. Success has allowed her to sing alongside some of opera's greatest voices, like Placido Domingo.

MARTINEZ: He would tell me, keep going, and if you have a child, I can sing with the next generation of your family.

AZUZ: That may happen sooner than expected: Martinez has been married for a year and is pregnant with her first son.

MARTINEZ: I fell very happy, having settled down. I have being doing this for many years, and I feel so comfortable with it that I can start a new phase in my life.

AZUZ: A Phase that she welcomes with her arms wide open.

Honoring Hispanic Heritage Month, I'm Carl Azuz.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Before We Go

PARK: Before we go, a kiss-and-tell story you won't believe! What some might call a "kiss of death". This snake charmer calls another day at the office. In Thailand Saturday, the charmer kissed 19 different king cobras. There's venom - not love - in these snake eyes. The cobras are highly poisonous. The charmer was trying to beat the old world record for serpent smooching.

Goodbye

PARK: That's just a slither of today's news. We hope you'll join us tomorrow for more. I'm Christina Park.

Tools:
Save |
Print |
E-mail |
Most Popular |

Next story in Education

Education

Jackson death probe may turn criminal, LAPD says

The Jackson family knows that the probe into singer Michael Jackson's death could turn into a criminal case, a source close to the family told CNN Thursday.