Date: Saturday, May 2, 2009
Written By: Hannah Bozman (Saddleback YMCA) from ITARR-TASS

On Saturday, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Auxiliary was reading over the ICJ agent’s memorials.  They also discussed the nuclear arms issue with Japan and South Korea versus China and North Korea, to prepare for their debate later.  

Japan and South Korea are very concerned by the underground and atmospheric testing of North Korea and China.  Korea and China say they have legitimate reasons for the nuclear testing.  China says their testing is for scientific purposes and North Korea claim it is for energy testing.  However China did not notify the Secretary General or the U.N. about their tests.  That is one of the reasons that Japan and South Korea think it is secret weapons testing.  Both Japan and South Korea are trying to prove to U.N that the testing violates the Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT), signed in 1963.  This treaty banned atmospheric and underwater explosion testing and both China and North Korea sent missiles in to the atmosphere with a nuclear payload.

In 1970 there were five countries with power: USA, UK, Russia, France and China.  However, now added to that list are India, Israel, Pakistan and North Korea (withdrew from list in 2003).  The U.N. is keeping a very close eye on China and North Korea for now, monitoring their movements toward nuclear power.
 This is a very serious issue and will be debated later on in the day. We will be listening closely to see the decision on China and whether or not they will be found guilty of secret weapon testing.