Scientists are now questioning whether Kim Jong Un's willingness to talk denuclearization is diplomatic progress for the Trump administration or a panacea for possible nuclear fallout in North Korea, according to Forbes.
Both the Trump administration and North Korea's Kim are spinning June 12's summit as a result of diplomatic progress, but a geological study suggests Kim's recent halting of a nuclear testing program might be tied more to a nuclear fallout than true willingness for denuclearization.
A collapse of Mount Mantap amid massive underground nuclear detonation in north west North Korea has blown a hole through the side of the mountain and might ultimately be leaking radioactive dust into China and other countries surrounding the Korean Peninsula, according to the report on the soon-to-be-published study.
The study reportedly bases its findings on satellite imagery and seismic activity in the area since a 100-kilotonne nuclear bomb was detonated 2,300 feet below Mt. Mantap's peak last September.
The U.S. Geological Survey registered earthquakes of 6.3 and 4.6 magnitude shortly after the reported nuclear detonation, PhD geologist Trevor Nace wrote for Forbes late last month.
This study only addresses possible environmental factors bringing North Korea to the table and not the issue of North Korea's struggling economy seeking a boost from American investment, which Secretary of State Mike Pompeo offered Sunday in exchange for denuclearization.
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