[Mariner]

"In the typical history of these things, a miniaturized thermonuclear device is never the first test. "

Unless there was a technology transfer.

I stand corrected on the historical size of fission devices. They would have to be huge for that yield.

[BeauBo]

“I stand corrected on the historical size of fission devices. They would have to be huge for that yield.”

Not really.

[FredZarguna]

Unless there was a technology transfer.

I don't believe the Russians would transfer thermonuclear technology to the North Koreans. Nuclear, yes. Big Stuff, no.

And the Chinese would certainly not do it, they got the destabilization of US interests they wanted with the initial nuclear transfers. Remember, far more damaging to us than even "H-bombs" is deliverability. If the Russians or Chinese were really serious about arming NoKorea the Norks would not be working on improving Scuds; they would already have gotten ballistic missile tech.