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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 nuclear test, after an "artificial" 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 quoted unnamed South Korean officials as saying it 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. Previous artificial earthquakes in the same area and of that magnitude have all been nuclear tests.
There has been no confirmation from the North, but previous artificial earthquakes in that area and of that magnitude have all been nuclear tests. There has been no comment from the North as yet.
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. But recent satellite imagery and intelligence has shown indicated increased activity at the Punggye-ri nuclear site, indicating a fifth test 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". Friday is also North Korea's National Day, which celebrates the start of the country's leadership regime.
It said it could "cannot determine what type of explosion it may be, whether nuclear or any other possible type".
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.
The US Geological Survey, which monitors global seismic activity, said Friday morning's tremor had been detected in the Punggye-ri area in the north-east 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".
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said a nuclear test was a "possibility" and that Japan was closely co-ordinating with its allies.
"If North Korea has conducted a nuclear experiment, we absolutely cannot condone it. We must protest adamantly."
The US said it was monitoring the reports.
Hydrogen claimsHydrogen 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.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.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.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.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.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 weapons International sanctions were considerably toughened in response, but had little impact on Pyongyang's determination to be a nuclear-armed state.
October 2002: North Korea first acknowledges it has a secret nuclear weapons programme Analysis: Steve Evans, BBC News, Seoul
October 2006: The first of three underground nuclear explosions is announced, at a test site called Punggye-ri If this test is confirmed, the big question is what might be done, given that sanctions were tightened after the fourth nuclear test and North Korea's launch of a satellite, which its opponents said was really a test of a missile.
May 2009: A month after walking out of international talks on its nuclear programme, North Korea carries out its second underground nuclear test China joined the condemnation but there are fault-lines in its relations with the US. China doesn't like the plans to deploy a US anti-missile defence system in South Korea. It is also angry at condemnation of its claim to disputed islands.
February 2013: A third nuclear test takes place using what state media calls a "miniaturised and lighter nuclear device" Increasingly, China and the United States are bumping up against each other in the region.
May 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.