Comments on: Of Searched Ships and Unsold Uranium 235… http://www.rjkoehler.com/2006/10/24/of-searched-ships-and-unsold-uranium-235/ Korea... in Blog Format Wed, 9 Jul 2008 16:03:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: usinkorea http://www.rjkoehler.com/2006/10/24/of-searched-ships-and-unsold-uranium-235/#comment-53520 usinkorea Tue, 24 Oct 2006 20:56:32 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2006/10/24/of-searched-ships-and-unsold-uranium-235/#comment-53520 Can anybody think of another case where people were caught with actual nuke material trying to sell it? I seem to remember some fakes that led to arrest. Because, I think this is green light to war material. The only way I can picture the US pulling the trigger on the North (besides in retaliation for an attack) ---- is if they are caught trying to sell nuke material - or there is a "reasonable" belief they are the likely source of material on the underground market. If this story heats up, and I were still in Korea, I'd have to think about getting out.... Can anybody think of another case where people were caught with actual nuke material trying to sell it?

I seem to remember some fakes that led to arrest.

Because, I think this is green light to war material.

The only way I can picture the US pulling the trigger on the North (besides in retaliation for an attack) —- is if they are caught trying to sell nuke material - or there is a “reasonable” belief they are the likely source of material on the underground market.

If this story heats up, and I were still in Korea, I’d have to think about getting out….

]]> By: slim http://www.rjkoehler.com/2006/10/24/of-searched-ships-and-unsold-uranium-235/#comment-53516 slim Tue, 24 Oct 2006 20:17:38 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2006/10/24/of-searched-ships-and-unsold-uranium-235/#comment-53516 This is why I say treat North Korea mainly as a crime problem. Don't send diplomats, send RICO investigators. This is why I say treat North Korea mainly as a crime problem. Don’t send diplomats, send RICO investigators.

]]> By: captbbq http://www.rjkoehler.com/2006/10/24/of-searched-ships-and-unsold-uranium-235/#comment-53508 captbbq Tue, 24 Oct 2006 13:35:06 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2006/10/24/of-searched-ships-and-unsold-uranium-235/#comment-53508 Lets be clear, this search had nothing to do with the UNSC sanctions. Shipping is a extremely tightly regulated industry, saftey of number one importance, and thats why they searched it. In fact, I don't know how NK does as well as it is. never-the-less, NK vessels are regularly detained in ports around the world. In fact, last September one headed for Syria was searched and then later detained in Cypress, it was said to be carrying "meteorological" trucks, but in reality, they turned out to be for tracking aricraft (as part of a SAM battery). Anyway, Lloydslist is reporting that this is the 20th ship from NK this year to visit the Harbor. That gives them a damn near 50% search rate...and 30% detainment rate. You would think that they would stop visiting Hong Kong. Also, it turns out there was a American Guided Missile Frigate (USS Gary) in the port as the same time. Lets be clear, this search had nothing to do with the UNSC sanctions. Shipping is a extremely tightly regulated industry, saftey of number one importance, and thats why they searched it. In fact, I don’t know how NK does as well as it is. never-the-less, NK vessels are regularly detained in ports around the world. In fact, last September one headed for Syria was searched and then later detained in Cypress, it was said to be carrying “meteorological” trucks, but in reality, they turned out to be for tracking aricraft (as part of a SAM battery).

Anyway, Lloydslist is reporting that this is the 20th ship from NK this year to visit the Harbor. That gives them a damn near 50% search rate…and 30% detainment rate. You would think that they would stop visiting Hong Kong.

Also, it turns out there was a American Guided Missile Frigate (USS Gary) in the port as the same time.

]]> By: Mark http://www.rjkoehler.com/2006/10/24/of-searched-ships-and-unsold-uranium-235/#comment-53474 Mark Tue, 24 Oct 2006 04:45:15 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2006/10/24/of-searched-ships-and-unsold-uranium-235/#comment-53474 Yes, Koreans seem to have a way with selling low budget items at premium prices to gullible foreigners. I just hope Al Qaida buys a Korean Louis Vuitton or Rolex and not the real thing. Yes, Koreans seem to have a way with selling low budget items at premium prices to gullible foreigners.

I just hope Al Qaida buys a Korean Louis Vuitton or Rolex and not the real thing.

]]> By: Richardson http://www.rjkoehler.com/2006/10/24/of-searched-ships-and-unsold-uranium-235/#comment-53463 Richardson Tue, 24 Oct 2006 02:13:24 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2006/10/24/of-searched-ships-and-unsold-uranium-235/#comment-53463 I think we’ll need some more details, as the sum of reporting so far doesn’t add up exactly. Naver reports fuel rods with U-235, which for North Korean redactors (GWR) means 0.7 percent. The Chosun Ilbo reports “enriched uranium,” which could mean the U-235 found in LWR fuel rods (2-4 percent), or “slightly enriched uranium,” although it doesn’t specify. If the U-235 was in fuel rod form, that should be for LWR, which North Korea does not have. I suppose they could have enriched uranium and put it in rod form, but probably not since they couldn’t use it in that form. In either case, GWR or LWR, it’s no where near nuclear weapons grade. Dirty bomb yes, nuke no. I think we’ll need some more details, as the sum of reporting so far doesn’t add up exactly.

Naver reports fuel rods with U-235, which for North Korean redactors (GWR) means 0.7 percent.

The Chosun Ilbo reports “enriched uranium,” which could mean the U-235 found in LWR fuel rods (2-4 percent), or “slightly enriched uranium,” although it doesn’t specify.

If the U-235 was in fuel rod form, that should be for LWR, which North Korea does not have. I suppose they could have enriched uranium and put it in rod form, but probably not since they couldn’t use it in that form.

In either case, GWR or LWR, it’s no where near nuclear weapons grade. Dirty bomb yes, nuke no.

]]> By: Ethnic Koreans Allegedly try to Sell Uranium in China at DPRK Studies http://www.rjkoehler.com/2006/10/24/of-searched-ships-and-unsold-uranium-235/#comment-53459 Ethnic Koreans Allegedly try to Sell Uranium in China at DPRK Studies Tue, 24 Oct 2006 01:46:02 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2006/10/24/of-searched-ships-and-unsold-uranium-235/#comment-53459 [...] Summarizing Korean language news, Robert writes: . . .Chinese media report that two ethnic Koreans (i.e., joseonjok) from China were busted in a Hotel in Beijing last month for trying to sell a reactor control rod containing uranium 235. [...] [...] Summarizing Korean language news, Robert writes: . . .Chinese media report that two ethnic Koreans (i.e., joseonjok) from China were busted in a Hotel in Beijing last month for trying to sell a reactor control rod containing uranium 235. [...]

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