Reporting from Seoul — As the international community condemned North Korea's nuclear test and missile launch on Monday, analysts said the tests signaled Pyongyang's growing disillusionment over the U.S. refusal to conduct bilateral talks.
North Korea's ailing leader, Kim Jong Il, determined to seek more drastic measures to bring the Obama administration to the bargaining table, might carry out even more nuclear tests as a way to bully the U.S. and its allies, experts said Monday.
The Russian news agency Tass reported that an official in North Korea's embassy in Moscow had claimed that new tests would take place "if the United States and its allies continue the policy of intimidation against North Korea."
Figuratively speaking, North Korea's dual actions Monday were aimed directly at Washington, which has directed its attentions away from Pyongyang as officials wage wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"Last year, a lot of people from Seoul and Washington visited Pyongyang, telling Kim and his people that that, once Obama was in the White House, the U.S. was going to be a totally different entity to deal with," said Lee Dong-bok, a senior associate in Seoul for the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
"But it's not working out that way. That's the reason North Korea is acting in such an erratic manner. "
Monday's tests followed a rocket launch in April that Pyongyang claimed placed a communications satellite into orbit launch but many contended was a disguised missile launch.
The satellite did not reach outer space, analysts say, but the U.S., South Korea and Japan nonetheless reacted with anger, seeking news sanctions against North Korea from the U.N. security council.
Nations worldwide reacted with concern at Pyongyang's newest underground nuclear test -- its first since 2006 -- which was followed just hours later by the test of a short-range missile.
In a statement, President Obama called the developments "a grave concern for all nations."
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak voiced disappointment with Pyongyang as he met with top security officials in a bunker below the Blue House, the nation's seat of power.
Japan vowed to seek a stern response from the U.N. security council as it met Monday to discuss North Korea.
john.glionna@latimes.com
