North Korea’s Deputy foreign minister, Kang Sok-ju, the same person who admitted to James Kelly in October 2002 that North Korea had a uranium program, has stated that North Korea will not give up its nuclear weapons:

“Why would we abandon nuclear weapons? . . . Are you saying we conducted a nuclear test in order to abandon them?” (emphasis added)

However in October this year the ‘official’ message was:

“We are still willing to abandon nuclear programs and return to six-party talks… We can do that any time only if the United States takes corresponding measures,” the unidentified [North Korean] official said. (emphasis added)

No one should be surprised, since North Korea has no practical reason to do so, and every reason to keep them:

The U.S. is overextended in Iraq and in no hurry for any military confrontation, aside from the artillery and missiles that would devastate Seoul. China is concerned about the appearance and actuality of stability before its 2008 Olympic games, and the possible presence of USFK on a reunified PRC-Korean border, so will not threaten North Korea’s stability beyond some token words and a slap on the wrist.

While targeted financial sanctions have reportedly hurt the regime elite, other factors may soon mitigate that pinch:

• The number of North Korean slaves workers at Kaesong has been increased to 10,000, earning more for the regime.
• The Unification Ministry is requesting the same budget for inter-Korea projects as last year, which indicates to North Korea that there are no consequences even for a nuclear test when it comes to strings-free aid from South Korea.
• China has unfrozen some Banco Delta accounts – ostensibly with understanding that it would get North Korea back to the Six-Party Talks – which will aid the regime, and has no plans to reduce or cut-off oil supplies.
• North Korea can also count on continue “aid and comfort” from South Korea, including the ROK’s refusal to participate in PSI, or even call a North Korean spy a spy!

So far there have been no major consequences to the October nuclear test, and North Korea has absolutely no reason to give up its nuclear arsenal.