Post North Korea Nuclear Test (series) R. E. Hartanto “An intelligence rumor has spread during 2005 and early of 2006 that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) was about to conduct a nuclear test. Despite international skepticism, North Korea announced its intention to conduct the test six days prior. On October 9, the government of the People’s Republic of China was given a 20-minute advance warning that the test was about to occur. China made an emergency alert to Washington D. C. through the United States’ Embassy in Beijing and President George Bush was told by the National Security Advisor shortly after 10 p.m. that a nuclear test was imminent. A small earthquake of 3.5 to 4.2 Richter scale was detected by various seismic control post around the world on a remote location on the mountainous area in North Hamgyong province of North Korea. Several hours later, the Korean Central News Agency issued the following statements: “The field of scientific research in the DPRK successfully conducted an underground nuclear test under secure conditions on October 9, Juche 95 (2006), at a stirring time when all the people of the country are making a great leap forward in building of a great, prosperous, powerful socialist nation…” International reactions to the test were nearly unanimous in their condemnation and denunciation of the test. President Bush in his statement condemned it as ‘a provocative act and USA will reserve all options to defend itself against aggression’. Former UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair, called it ‘a completely irresponsible and highly provocative act, which would raise tensions in an already tense region’. Within the same day, the Japanese Cabinet passed a resolution banning almost all trade with North Korea. Military activities raised along the borders between North and South Korea as reported by US military station. The United Nation Security Council unanimously approved limited military and economic sanctions against North Korea. Stock exchanges in Japan and Taiwan were closed for a market holiday on the day of the test. Asian stock markets have traded lower and the Dow Jones fell down on the next day’s opening though rebounded a day later. I passionately followed the news day by day after the event and was amazed by the political turmoil caused by a single blast of an underground nuclear test on a remote place. The political statements, scientific analysis, military movements, economic impact, and continuous elite meetings occurred were so overwhelming, to some extent I found it was funny, as if it was a circus show. Yet the particular event also reminds me that fear, anger, and hatred is a language beyond border of any nation. The whole thing has been dwelling on my mind up until a year later when I had the opportunity to develop this issue into a series of painting showing figures of various identities. We are but a human being in the face of tragedy despite our race, ethnicity, religion, and nationality. Perhaps it is our only true identity. My works in this series aim to reflect that idea.” - R. E. Hartanto