Source?

This is coolbert:

Here is another article from the International Herald Tribune. Deals with the personalities involved, or at least thought to be involved in the North Korean atomic bomb program.

This article is a compilation of the typical "open source" type of material that intelligence service analysts use on a routine basis.

The persons who have been instrumental in the development of the North Korean atomic bomb of course would be of immense interest to intelligence agencies the world over.

But, as with all things North Korean, a lot of secrecy is involved on the part of Kim [Kim the Elder and Kim the Younger both] and his gang. Information is sparse. A lot of inference has to be used.

"These people have been celebrated at home for founding and guiding the North's nuclear program, but because of the secrecy surrounding the effort, almost no one, even there, knows who they are."

[EVEN THERE. North Korea of course!!]

With a nation as security conscious as North Korea, reasonable inferences based upon "open source material" are a valid way for intelligence analysts to arrive at conclusions.

However, such material as the "open source" is NOT what your intelligence analyst ONLY wants to work with. "Open source" is useful, but NOT equal to SECRET material obtained through espionage. Details and the "real stuff" can be had only through espionage.

Espionage as enunciated 2500 years ago by Sun Tzu. Espionage in this case characterized by what Sun describes as the inward spy:

"Having inward spies means making use of officials of the enemy. Worthy men who have been degraded . . . criminals . . . favorite concubines . . . men who are aggrieved . . . others who are anxious that their side should be defeated . . . fickle turncoats"

HOW does one recruit such persons to pass on secret details of North Korean nuclear plans and weaponry and personalities involved with same??

Especially with a nation AS SECURITY CONSCIOUS AS THE NORTH??!!

NO ONE said this was going to be easy. Recruit diplomats or representatives when they travel from North Korea to other nations - - for whatever reason?

This is the sort of think intelligence agencies are supposed to be ABLE to do. Is it done? In only a few instances, maybe. "Open source" just seems to be so much easier!!

coolbert.