south korea military
Riz Khan

North Korea’s nuclear test fallout

Pyongyang’s nuclear tests have escalated tensions on the Korean peninsula.


Watch part two 

There has been worldwide condemnation of the underground explosion carried out in North Korea on Monday.

Even China, a country that North Korea considers an ally, has demanded that Pyongyang stop its actions and return to six-party talks. 

Announcing the test, the North Korean state media said it would “contribute to defending the sovereignty of the country and the nation ensuring peace and security on the Korean Peninsula”.

What does North Korea hope to gain from its latest nuclear test and where does it leave international attempts to persuade it to give up its nuclear programme?

Anand Naidoo sits in for Riz Khan as we look at the diplomatic fallout of North Korea’s nuclear test.


Joining the show is Alejandro Cao de Benos, the president of the Korean Friendship Association and an advocate of North Korea since 1990. He is currently an honorary special delegate of North Korea’s committee for cultural relations with foreign countries.

This episode of the Riz Khan show aired on Tuesday, May 26, 2009.