It's the end of the world as we know it...

...And I feel fine.

North Korea, the very definition of a rogue state, has nuclear weapons. Which, given I have seen Threads and The War Game (both of which deal with the aftermath of a nuclear attack), can be no good thing.

Still, you've got to smile. Seriously, let's look at the comedy value of this. And that mainly comes in the form of North Korea's statement. I know it was meant to be taken seriously, but the levels of self deception and utter nonsense make me smile.

"...at a stirring time when all the people of the country are making a great leap forward in the building of a great, prosperous, powerful socialist nation."

Stirring? Try scary. Or terrifying. And I am not sure how building a device that could wipe out North Korea (which, let's face it, does not have a great track record when it comes to storing weapons) constitutes a great leap forward.

"It marks a historic event as it greatly encouraged and pleased the KPA (Korean People's Army) and people that have wished to have powerful self-reliant defence capability."

I'd imagine that if you asked a North Korean what he thought he probably would be encouraged and pleased. Mainly because if he dissented, he would be imprisoned, tortured and executed. However if you asked them how they felt and they were free to talk, they might reveal that they would be more "encouraged and pleased" if the government spent money on food for the population rather than Weapons of Mass Destruction that may attract the unwanted attentions of the UK.

"It will contribute to defending the peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and in the area around it."

Brilliant, just brilliant. Pure, unadulterated comedy genius. The nuclear test risks not just the Korean Peninsula, but the stability of the world. This could be the event that pushes us towards nuclear conflict. To claim that is has something to do with peace is beyond irony, almost beyond satire.