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North Korea nuclear test suspected after 'artificial' quake North Korea conducts 'fifth and biggest nuclear test'
(35 minutes later)
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. North Korea is believed to have carried out its fifth and largest ever test of a nuclear device, say South Korean military officials.
South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted unnamed South Korean officials as saying it was highly likely to have been a nuclear test. It comes after an "artificial" magnitude 5.3 earthquake was detected close to its nuclear test site on Friday morning,
Previous artificial earthquakes in the same area and of that magnitude have all been nuclear tests.Previous artificial earthquakes in the same area and of that magnitude have all been nuclear tests.
There has been no comment from the North as yet.There has been no comment from the North as yet.
But recent satellite imagery and intelligence has shown indicated increased activity at the Punggye-ri nuclear site, indicating a fifth test was imminent. In a statement carried by the Yonhap news agency, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said: "We estimate the North has carried out the biggest-ever test."
Friday is also North Korea's National Day, which celebrates the start of the country's leadership regime. It said the yield was estimated to have been 10 kilotonnes, almost twice the power of its last test in January. At that time the North said it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb, but many analysts cast doubt on that claim.
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 the tremor had been detected in the Punggye-ri nuclear test site in the north-east and was caused by "an explosion".
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".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. Recent satellite imagery has shown increased activity at the site, indicating a fifth test could be imminent.
Friday is also North Korea's National Day, which celebrates the founding of the current regime. The North often uses such events as an opportunity for a show of military strength.
Japan was swift to condemn the suspected test with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe saying it was closely co-ordinating with its allies.
"If North Korea has conducted a nuclear experiment, we absolutely cannot condone it. We must protest adamantly.""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.The US said it was monitoring the reports.
Hydrogen claims Missile tests and angry rhetoric
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.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, unleashing a rising tide of aggressive rhetoric.
Its last nuclear test, in January, was purported to be of a hydrogen bomb, but that claim has not been confirmed. The North has also been angered by a US and South Korean plan to install an anti-missile defence system in the South.
International sanctions were considerably toughened in response, but had little impact on Pyongyang's determination to be a nuclear-armed state.International sanctions were considerably toughened in response, but had little impact on Pyongyang's determination to be a nuclear-armed state.
Analysis: Steve Evans, BBC News, SeoulAnalysis: Steve Evans, BBC News, Seoul
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.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.
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.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.
Increasingly, China and the United States are bumping up against each other in the region.Increasingly, China and the United States are bumping up against each other in the region.