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North Korea nuclear test suspected after 'artificial' quake | |
(35 minutes later) | |
North Korea is suspected of carrying out its fifth test of a nuclear bomb, after a magnitude 5.3 earthquake was detected close to its test site. | |
South Korea's Yonhap news agency said it had been an "artificial quake". | South Korea's Yonhap news agency said it had been an "artificial quake". |
It quoted an unnamed South Korean government source as saying the tremor was highly likely to have been a nuclear test. | |
There has been no confirmation from the North as yet that a nuclear test has been carried out. | There has been no confirmation from the North as yet that a nuclear test has been carried out. |
Recent satellite imagery and intelligence has indicated increased activity at the Punggye-ri site, where North Korea carried out its previous nuclear tests, indicating a fifth was imminent. | |
The US Geological Survey, which monitors global seismic activity, said Friday morning's tremor had been detected in that area and was caused by "an explosion". | |
It said it could "cannot determine what type of explosion it may be, whether nuclear or any other possible type". | |
North Korea is banned by UN sanctions from any tests of nuclear or missile technology. | |
But in recent months it has conducted a series of ballistic missile launches and has threatened to carry out nuclear attacks on its enemies. | |
Friday is North Korea's National Day, which celebrates the start of the country's leadership regime. | |
North Korea often uses such events as an opportunity for a show of military strength. | North Korea often uses such events as an opportunity for a show of military strength. |
Its most recent nuclear test, in January, was purported to be of a hydrogen bomb, but that claim has not been confirmed. | |
North Korea and nuclear weapons | |
October 2002: North Korea first acknowledges it has a secret nuclear weapons programme | |
October 2006: The first of three underground nuclear explosions is announced, at a test site called Punggye-ri | |
May 2009: A month after walking out of international talks on its nuclear programme, North Korea carries out its second underground nuclear test | |
February 2013: A third nuclear test takes place using what state media calls a "miniaturised and lighter nuclear device" | |
May 2015: Pyongyang claims to have tested a submarine-launched missile, which are more difficult to detect than conventional devices |