The Theater Continues In Asia

The CBC reports that the UN Security Council toughens sanctions against North Korea:

The United Nations Security Council unanimously passed a resolution Friday that imposes new sanctions on North Korea for its recent missile tests and an underground test of a nuclear device.

The resolution urges countries to reduce financial ties with North Korea, and extends a ban on exports of tanks, artillery and other large arms that represent a significant source of revenue for that country.

All 192 UN member nations are also authorized to inspect cargo vessels at sea or airports if they believe the contents may be used to advance Pyongyang’s nuclear or ballistic programs.

We can probably expect another nuclear test from North Korea in reaction, which is good in a way, as they have a limited supply of weapons-grade material and everything they use in testing is unavailable for an actual weapon.

The New York Times reported that Kim Jong-il’s son now has a title, ‘Brilliant Comrade’ :

The youngest son of North Korea’s leader has been given the title of Brilliant Comrade, a newspaper reported on Friday, another sign that the Communist regime is preparing to name him as successor to its leader, Kim Jong-il. Intelligence authorities from the United States and South Korea disclosed this week that Kim Jong-un, 26, is now being referred to in the North as Yongmyong-han Dongji. That translates roughly as Brilliant Comrade, the South Korean newspaper JoongAng Ilbo reported.

Kim Il-sung was “Great Leader” and Kim Jong-il was designated “Dear Leader” prior to his father’s death to indicate he was the successor. That seems to be what is going on here, and if that is the case, there will be another nuclear test to “anoint” him for the masses as well as showing that North Korea isn’t afraid of the UN.