But - although we can turn North Korea into a wasteland if they fire the first nuclear shot, they will not. Owning a few nukes is a deterrent - they know it will keep us from invading them. I was impressed at all those WWII rifles their soldiers had marching in the parade - BUT - they do have 50,000 artillery pieces within striking distance of Seoul, and even if they only have two shells for each, they would lay waste to Seoul before conceding defeat in a conflict. And THEN - we would be responsible for providing for all those hungry masses of starving, uneducated people! Better to maintain the status quo - but it would be great if China could smack fat boy around a little bit...