Your guess is as good as mine

[ulsanblaster11]

So looks like South Korea has somehow managed to dodge provoking North Korea at the Nuclear Summit.  But, from the news today, North Korea seems totally intent on launching their rocket.

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/03/27/world/asia/korea-nuclear-summit/index.html?hpt=ias_c2

Could it actually be something innocent?  Is it a satellite?  Or... is it a test missile?  Is is a diversion as part of an impending nuclear first-strike?

If it is a only a satellite, is North Korea commendable for launching it and trying to step beyond the boundaries of their hermit kingdom?  Should we at least acknowledge that they're ballsy for standing up against a world that tries to isolate and contain them?

I'm curious about other foreigner thoughts.  What do you think?

[Damien]

I'm betting it's a satellite. Not sure if it is actually functioning or not. It wouldn't shock me to hear they launched a non functioning satellite. I could see them doing this for two reasons. Reason one, to test their ability to launch a missile. Second reason, to see how the international community reacts. If everyone sits on their thumbs and the big powers don't react, they take it as a sign they can do anything. If everyone reacts and gets angry, they start throwing around threats of a divine assault that will kill us all. They then go on to say it is their own right to launch a 'peaceful satellite' in the name of some Kim.