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North Korea nuclear test suspected after 'artificial' quake 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.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. An unnamed South Korean government source said it 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, but previous artificial earthquakes in that area and of that magnitude have all been nuclear tests.
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. Recent satellite imagery and intelligence has indicated increased activity at the Punggye-ri site, where North Korea carried out its previous 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".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".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.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. Hydrogen claims
North Korea analyst Jeffrey Lewis, at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in the US, told Reuters the size of Friday's tremor indicated a device with a 20 to 30 kilotonne yield.
If confirmed, that would be the North's largest device to date.
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.
Its last nuclear test, in January, was purported to be of a hydrogen bomb, but that claim has not been confirmed.
North Korea and nuclear weaponsNorth Korea and nuclear weapons
October 2002: North Korea first acknowledges it has a secret nuclear weapons programmeOctober 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-riOctober 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 testMay 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"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 devicesMay 2015: Pyongyang claims to have tested a submarine-launched missile, which are more difficult to detect than conventional devices
International sanctions were considerably toughened in the wake of previous activity, but had little impact on Pyongyang's determination to be a nuclear-armed state.
The BBC's Stephen Evans in Seoul says renewed tensions between the US and China may make a co-ordinated response more difficult.
Beijing, North Korea's closest ally, repeatedly objects to the tests but is anxious not to do anything to destabilise its volatile neighbour.