"This was confirmed this morning in conversations I had with
leaders of China, and South Korea, Russia and Japan. We
reaffirmed our commitment to a nuclear-free Korean peninsula, and
all of us agreed that the proclaimed actions taken by North Korea
are unacceptable and deserve an immediate response by the United
Nations Security Council."
"Stop. Notice. Bush said again the 'proclaimed actions taken
by North Korea.' As if a 4-kiloton explosion is merely a
proclamation -- yes, Suh Tae Hyun?"
"Dear Leader, it may have been fewer than 4 kilotons. I don't
have the exact measurement. It might have been under 1 kiloton,
but what does that matter? Our scientific plan was
consummated."
"See me later, Suh Tae Hyun. ... You heard him say, 'deserve
an immediate response' by the U.N. Ha-ha."
"Ha-ha." The sounds echoed about the room.
"The United Nations Security Council can --" He raised the
middle finger of his right hand.
But the projectionist mistook the gesture as instructing him
to proceed with the speech, and the screen carried the words:
"The transfer of nuclear weapons or material by North Korea to
states or non-state entities would be considered a grave threat
to the United States and we would hold North Korea fully
accountable for the consequences of such action."
Again the screening stopped.
"My father, the great, revered Kim Il Sung, taught me since I
was 7 years old -- am I correct, Ku Hi Sun? -- that a nation that
has the nuclear bomb need not fear even the dragon."
He bobbed his head up and down, and his counselors agreed.