China's Support for Bilateral Talks Between U.S. and North Korea

RIA Novosti reports that the PRC supports bilateral talks between the US and North Korea. The PRC views these talks as a vehicle for reviving the six-party talks which North Korea abandoned in protest in April.

Currently, UN Resolution 1718, adopted in October of 2006, prohibits North Korea from nuclear and ballistic missile tests. However, the North Korean has violated this resolution with a nuclear test, as well as a number of short-range missile launches.

North Korea Claims Further Nuclear Progress

The North Korean regime has recently stated that it has finished the reprocessing of 8,000 spent fuel rods for weaponized plutonium. If these claims are accurate, this weaponized material can be used in a bomb.

Many are concerned that the Taepodong-2, a long-range missile, is a delivery system capable of striking North America. With the threat of more weapons materials and the reactivation of the Yongbyon nuclear complex, North Korea hopes to force the United States into bilateral talks where it may acquire aid, and possible diplomatic recognition.

Following concerns over CTBT ratification by some more hawkish political leaders (Sen. Jon Kyl in the WSJ, for example), the United States response to North Korea will be closely scrutinized by domestic critics of the Obama Administration.

5 Missiles shot by North Korea today in Tests

Reports state that a total of 5 KN-02 rockets were shot Monday with a range of up to 75 miles. The reports have come during a time in which the U.S. and its allies are continuing to talk with North Korea regarding its nuclear program. To read more, click here HuffingtonPost.com.