Cybersecurity
Whatever North Korea Tested, Its Nuclear Ambitions Remain Clear
- Kim dynasty's fear of collapse at heart of obsession with bomb
- Nuclear threat creates leverage to gain economic concessions
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North Korea is the only country known to have conducted a nuclear test this century. While defense experts are skepticalof Pyongyang’s claim that it detonated a hydrogen bomb on Jan. 6, they agree the latest test still advances its ambition to mount a nuclear warhead on a ballistic missile.
Here’s a look at why joining the nuclear club has become an obsession of North Korea’s leaders from founder Kim Il Sung to his grandson, Kim Jong Un.