I heard tell from some friends in the Chinese/North Korean circles that Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan was sent to visit The Dear General Kim to convey a message of displeasure regarding the recent test. Apparently, there has been a fair bit of discord in China (yes, even the people are divided- but it's not like the Chinese Gov. will listen) and China is trying to assert it's power to avoid a Nightmare Scenario.
Basically, the Chinese are not keen with anything that destabilizes the region, and Nukes on the Peninsula do exactly that. The problem is, if they push too hard (with for example, restrictions on fuel exports to the DPRK) they run the risk of having the North collapse and being inundated with refugees. Although, there are a few bright projections coming out of Hawkish circles regarding a DPRK collapse (a Unified Korea, Democracy touching the PRC, cheap labor) few truly factor in the Social ramifications of a sudden collapse. If they think that the "fall of the Soviet Empire" did wonders for WMD proliferation, wait till the get a load of this.
In my opinion, the best senario is an insider Coup that leads North Korea in the direction of the South in the 60s.
So, now it seems that the North just might have something to say. With the Chinese envoys on their way back, I'm guessing they have a message from the North- "We'll come back to the talks now that we have Nuclear capabilities". I guess I'll find out soon enough if I'm right. Either way though, it spells bad news for an immediate solution. I know that any rounds of talks will lead to... more rounds of talks. Hmmm, maybe that's just what the parties want?
*FYI, just watched the live press conf with the Chinese FM and he said China will "Break the stalemate". With headlines ofChina pressuring the North, maybe something is in the wind?
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