This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-37314927
The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| North Korea conducts 'fifth and biggest nuclear test' | North Korea conducts 'fifth and biggest nuclear test' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| North Korea is believed to have carried out its fifth and largest ever test of a nuclear device, South Korean military officials say. | |
| South Korean President Park Geun-hye called it an act of "self-destruction" which showed the "maniacal recklessness" of leader Kim Jong-un. | |
| It was detected as a 5.3 magnitude quake close to the nuclear test site. | |
| The North has not commented, but analysts fear this could be a sign of the rogue state's nuclear progress. | |
| 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. |
| Ms Park, who is cutting short an overseas visit, said that with a fifth nuclear test "Kim Jong-un's regime will only earn more sanctions and isolation". | |
| "Such provocation will further accelerate its path to self-destruction." | |
| 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." | 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." |
| 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. | 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. |
| The US Geological Survey, which monitors global seismic activity, said earlier that a tremor had been detected in the Punggye-ri nuclear test site in the north-east. | |
| It said it was caused by "an explosion" but could not say what type. | |
| Recent satellite imagery has shown increased activity at the site, indicating a fifth test could be imminent. | 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. | 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. | 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 has said it is monitoring the reports. | |
| Missile tests and angry rhetoric | Missile tests and angry rhetoric |
| 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 unleashed a rising tide of aggressive rhetoric, threatening nuclear attacks on its enemies. | |
| The North has also been angered by a US and South Korean plan to install an anti-missile defence system in the South and by the allies' annual joint military exercises. | |
| International sanctions were considerably toughened in response to its previous nuclear and missile tests, but had little impact on Pyongyang's determination to be a nuclear-armed state. | |
| Analysis: Steve Evans, BBC News, Seoul | Analysis: 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. |