Is That All Ya Got? - CSIS Takes a Stab at Meaning of N. Korean Test

Unwilling to say for sure whether they believe North Korea has even tested an atomic bomb, The Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington DC released a report today that explores the ramifications and possible meanings of the alleged blast.

So far, the only source attempting to establish a yield seems be Park Chang-soo, spokesman at the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, a state-run South Korean geological institute, which AP says stated that the magnitude of the tremor could indicate the test was equivalent to the force of 550 tons of TNT.
It is far from clear that this is a reliable source, and statements referring to a "550 ton" yield seems too precise and too early in calling for such a small yield to allow immediate verification.

It should be noted that the weapon the United States dropped on Hiroshima, Japan on Aug. 6, 1945, was equivalent to 11,000- 15,000 tons of TNT.

It goes on to report that it is possible this was a test of "material that is highly enriched but short of true weapons grade."

In my previous post, I wondered at the implications for our upcoming elections here in the US. The CSIS report also speculates on this possibility.