North Korea is reportedly testing loading anthrax onto intercontinental ballistic missiles aimed at the United States. The marriage of biological weapons with long range missiles at first glance sounds like nightmare fuel, but sounds bizarre given the country’s emphasis on nuclear weapons. Japan’s Asahi newspaper, citing an unnamed Japanese intelligence source with ties to South Korean intelligence, says that North Korea is experimenting with the biological weapon anthrax to determine if the spores can survive the heat and pressure of reentry aboard a missile warhead. According to The Asahi Shimbun, the tests are centered around whether or not spores can survive temperatures of up to 7,000 degrees. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below North Korea has already demonstrated a new intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-15, which missile experts believe can reach all of the United States. Presumably, the anthrax-filled warheads would be deployed on these missiles, as well as shorter range missiles aimed at U.S. bases on Japan, Guam, and South Korea. This is a curious story for a number of reasons. For one, the sourcing—an anonymous Japanese intelligence official—is thin. Second, transporting anthrax spores in a missile warhead is relatively easy. Anthrax pores would not have to survive 7,000 degree…