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| North Korea nuclear test: regime confirms 'warhead explosion' – live | North Korea nuclear test: regime confirms 'warhead explosion' – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 6.30am BST | |
| 06:30 | |
| China 'resolutely opposed to test' | |
| China has stopped short of a full condemnation of North Korea’s nuclear upping of the ante in east Asia. | |
| The foreign ministry in Beijing said on Friday that it was “resolutely opposed to North Korea’s latest nuclear test and strongly urges North Korea to stop taking any actions that will worsen the situation”. | |
| China would stick to its aim of denuclearising the Korean peninsula and “uphold the six-party talks process to resolve the issue”, the ministry said. | |
| 6.23am BST | |
| 06:23 | |
| North Korean TV: test shows country ready to hit back at enemies | |
| Associated Press has reported more on the full statement put out on North Korean TV. | |
| Here are the key points: | |
| And a few pictures. | |
| 6.15am BST | |
| 06:15 | |
| Justin McCurry in Tokyo has written a full news wrap of the day’s events so far. | |
| Read it in full here: | |
| 6.08am BST | |
| 06:08 | |
| SUMMARY | |
| 5.59am BST | 5.59am BST |
| 05:59 | 05:59 |
| As promised, world affairs editor Julian Borger has filed his analysis of the situation. He says that today’s test could force the US back to the negotiating table with North Korea. | As promised, world affairs editor Julian Borger has filed his analysis of the situation. He says that today’s test could force the US back to the negotiating table with North Korea. |
| The game-changer seems to be that the increasing number of tests shows the North could put a small warhead on a ballistic missile and therefore in theory attack another country. | The game-changer seems to be that the increasing number of tests shows the North could put a small warhead on a ballistic missile and therefore in theory attack another country. |
| Here’s an excerpt from Julian’s piece: | Here’s an excerpt from Julian’s piece: |
| Until two years ago the conventional wisdom on the North’s nuclear programme was that it was largely a political symbol of the country’s potency and a bargaining chip for economic and diplomatic benefits. | Until two years ago the conventional wisdom on the North’s nuclear programme was that it was largely a political symbol of the country’s potency and a bargaining chip for economic and diplomatic benefits. |
| Since 2014 however the pace of nuclear and missile testing has accelerated, to the point where some experts now believe the country’s scientists have developed a nuclear warhead small enough to put on a missile. | Since 2014 however the pace of nuclear and missile testing has accelerated, to the point where some experts now believe the country’s scientists have developed a nuclear warhead small enough to put on a missile. |
| “It is likely now that North Korea could at this point put a nuclear warhead on a short or medium range missile which could reach South Korea, Japan and US military installations in the region,” said Kelsey Davenport, the director for non-proliferation policy at the Arms Control Association. | “It is likely now that North Korea could at this point put a nuclear warhead on a short or medium range missile which could reach South Korea, Japan and US military installations in the region,” said Kelsey Davenport, the director for non-proliferation policy at the Arms Control Association. |
| However she thought it would be up to another decade before Pyongyang developed a reliable intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the US. | However she thought it would be up to another decade before Pyongyang developed a reliable intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the US. |
| “All this activity is aimed at expanding the size of North Korea’s nuclear arsenal and expanding its delivery options,” Davenport said. “It is taking steps to quality-improve its missiles, using solid fuel so they can be deployed more quickly, and extending their range. The trajectory points to a growing North Korean nuclear threat and the next US administration will have to prioritise that threat.” | “All this activity is aimed at expanding the size of North Korea’s nuclear arsenal and expanding its delivery options,” Davenport said. “It is taking steps to quality-improve its missiles, using solid fuel so they can be deployed more quickly, and extending their range. The trajectory points to a growing North Korean nuclear threat and the next US administration will have to prioritise that threat.” |
| Read the full article here: | Read the full article here: |
| 5.54am BST | 5.54am BST |
| 05:54 | 05:54 |
| More on North Korea’s confirmation. | More on North Korea’s confirmation. |
| State TV said the North was now capable of mounting nuclear warheads on ballistic rockets, Reuters reports. It said no leakage of nuclear material had occurred in the test and that there was no environmental impact. | State TV said the North was now capable of mounting nuclear warheads on ballistic rockets, Reuters reports. It said no leakage of nuclear material had occurred in the test and that there was no environmental impact. |
| #BREAKING: Test confirms nuclear warhead can be mounted on rockets: KCNA | #BREAKING: Test confirms nuclear warhead can be mounted on rockets: KCNA |
| #NorthKorea confirms seismic event on Friday morning to be new #nuclear test – reports https://t.co/oShJpCPxlR pic.twitter.com/AuDvdGgWSy | #NorthKorea confirms seismic event on Friday morning to be new #nuclear test – reports https://t.co/oShJpCPxlR pic.twitter.com/AuDvdGgWSy |
| 5.44am BST | 5.44am BST |
| 05:44 | 05:44 |
| North Korea confirms nuclear test | North Korea confirms nuclear test |
| North Korea has confirmed that it conducted a “nuclear warhead explosion” on Friday in response to “US hostility”, according to Associated Press. | North Korea has confirmed that it conducted a “nuclear warhead explosion” on Friday in response to “US hostility”, according to Associated Press. |
| BREAKING: North Korea says it has conducted a "nuclear warhead explosion" test meant to counter what Pyongyang calls U.S. hostility. | BREAKING: North Korea says it has conducted a "nuclear warhead explosion" test meant to counter what Pyongyang calls U.S. hostility. |
| 5.41am BST | 5.41am BST |
| 05:41 | 05:41 |
| The latest test, once confirmed, shows that the sanctions-driven policy of the US and its regional allies has reached the limit of its effectiveness, according to an expert quoted by Reuters. | The latest test, once confirmed, shows that the sanctions-driven policy of the US and its regional allies has reached the limit of its effectiveness, according to an expert quoted by Reuters. |
| Tadashi Kimiya, a University of Tokyo professor specialising in Korean issues said: “Sanctions have already been imposed on almost everything possible, so the policy is at an impasse. In reality, the means by which the United States, South Korea and Japan can put pressure on North Korea have reached their limits,” he said. | Tadashi Kimiya, a University of Tokyo professor specialising in Korean issues said: “Sanctions have already been imposed on almost everything possible, so the policy is at an impasse. In reality, the means by which the United States, South Korea and Japan can put pressure on North Korea have reached their limits,” he said. |
| 5.34am BST | 5.34am BST |
| 05:34 | 05:34 |
| Our world affairs editor, Julian Borger, who has followed the development of North Korea’s nuclear programme for years, says the test indicates a greater level of ambition in Pyongyang than might have been assumed before. | Our world affairs editor, Julian Borger, who has followed the development of North Korea’s nuclear programme for years, says the test indicates a greater level of ambition in Pyongyang than might have been assumed before. |
| We’ll have his full article shortly but here is a taster: | We’ll have his full article shortly but here is a taster: |
| North Korea’s fifth nuclear test confirms growing fears in the international community that the regime’s nuclear aspirations are far more far-reaching than once assumed and that Kim Jong-un is building a sizeable arsenal designed to be used if his rule comes under serious threat. | North Korea’s fifth nuclear test confirms growing fears in the international community that the regime’s nuclear aspirations are far more far-reaching than once assumed and that Kim Jong-un is building a sizeable arsenal designed to be used if his rule comes under serious threat. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.34am BST | at 5.34am BST |
| 5.27am BST | 5.27am BST |
| 05:27 | 05:27 |
| What we know so far | What we know so far |
| There has been no official confirmation from North Korea about whether it conducted its fifth nuclear test today or not. But a lot of evidence points in that direction at the moment. Here’s what we know: | There has been no official confirmation from North Korea about whether it conducted its fifth nuclear test today or not. But a lot of evidence points in that direction at the moment. Here’s what we know: |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.00am BST | at 6.00am BST |
| 5.16am BST | 5.16am BST |
| 05:16 | 05:16 |
| 'Test was biggest yet': South Korea | 'Test was biggest yet': South Korea |
| South Korean experts believe the blast was the biggest yet carried out by its neighbours. | South Korean experts believe the blast was the biggest yet carried out by its neighbours. |
| A defence ministry spokesman in Seoul told reporters the blast measured 10 kilotonnes, AFP reports. The North’s third nuclear test, staged in February 2013, was previously considered the most powerful to date, with a yield of six to nine kilotonnes. | A defence ministry spokesman in Seoul told reporters the blast measured 10 kilotonnes, AFP reports. The North’s third nuclear test, staged in February 2013, was previously considered the most powerful to date, with a yield of six to nine kilotonnes. |
| This backs up what US expert Jeffrey Lewis said earlier today. you can find more detail on his comments here. | This backs up what US expert Jeffrey Lewis said earlier today. you can find more detail on his comments here. |
| Kim Nam-Wook from the South’s meteorological agency said: | Kim Nam-Wook from the South’s meteorological agency said: |
| The 10-kilotonne blast was nearly twice the fourth nuclear test and slightly less than the Hiroshima bombing, which was measured about 15 kilotonnes. | The 10-kilotonne blast was nearly twice the fourth nuclear test and slightly less than the Hiroshima bombing, which was measured about 15 kilotonnes. |
| Further evidence of a nuclear test came from South Korean experts, who said today’s 5.3-magnitude “artificial earthquake” had “almost identical patterns” to previous detonations. | Further evidence of a nuclear test came from South Korean experts, who said today’s 5.3-magnitude “artificial earthquake” had “almost identical patterns” to previous detonations. |
| 5.01am BST | 5.01am BST |
| 05:01 | 05:01 |
| The South Korean president has spoken to US president Barack Obama about the North Korea nuclear test, according to the local Yonhap news agency. | The South Korean president has spoken to US president Barack Obama about the North Korea nuclear test, according to the local Yonhap news agency. |
| Obama and Park discussed the situation while Obama was flying back to the United States from the Asean summit in Laos. | Obama and Park discussed the situation while Obama was flying back to the United States from the Asean summit in Laos. |
| (URGENT) Park holds telephone talks with Obama on N.K. nuke test https://t.co/XX3HjQKc7q | (URGENT) Park holds telephone talks with Obama on N.K. nuke test https://t.co/XX3HjQKc7q |
| 4.57am BST | 4.57am BST |
| 04:57 | 04:57 |
| Asia Pacific markets slip | Asia Pacific markets slip |
| Stock markets in the Asian time zone suffered in the wake of what Japan and South Korea have now confirmed wasa fifth nuclear test. | Stock markets in the Asian time zone suffered in the wake of what Japan and South Korea have now confirmed wasa fifth nuclear test. |
| The losses come the day after Asian shares completed a full recovery from heavy losses 12 months ago in the wake of China’s surprise devaluation. | The losses come the day after Asian shares completed a full recovery from heavy losses 12 months ago in the wake of China’s surprise devaluation. |
| 4.49am BST | 4.49am BST |
| 04:49 | 04:49 |
| Justin McCurry | Justin McCurry |
| South Korea has joined Japan in determining that North Korea has conducted its fifth nuclear test, according to Yonhap. | South Korea has joined Japan in determining that North Korea has conducted its fifth nuclear test, according to Yonhap. |
| South Korea’s KBS Radio quoted a defence ministry official in Seoul as confirming that Friday morning’s earthquake was caused by a nuclear detonation. | South Korea’s KBS Radio quoted a defence ministry official in Seoul as confirming that Friday morning’s earthquake was caused by a nuclear detonation. |
| (LEAD) S. Korea: N. Korea's nuke test blatant dismissal of int'l consensus https://t.co/hj0MWKEN90 | (LEAD) S. Korea: N. Korea's nuke test blatant dismissal of int'l consensus https://t.co/hj0MWKEN90 |
| (2nd LD) Park condemns apparent N.K. nuke test https://t.co/UHueluyeuR | (2nd LD) Park condemns apparent N.K. nuke test https://t.co/UHueluyeuR |
| The official told reporters that the test’s explosive yield was estimated at ten kilotonnes, which would make it the most powerful of North Korea’s five nuclear tests, KBS added. The regime’s previous nuclear test in January yielded six kilotonnes. | The official told reporters that the test’s explosive yield was estimated at ten kilotonnes, which would make it the most powerful of North Korea’s five nuclear tests, KBS added. The regime’s previous nuclear test in January yielded six kilotonnes. |
| 4.31am BST | 4.31am BST |
| 04:31 | 04:31 |
| South Korean president: North guilty of 'maniacal recklessness' | South Korean president: North guilty of 'maniacal recklessness' |
| South Korean president Park Geun-hye also appears to have confirmed that Seoul believes the North has carried out a nuclear test. | South Korean president Park Geun-hye also appears to have confirmed that Seoul believes the North has carried out a nuclear test. |
| Quoting her office, Reuters says Park said that the North’s fifth nuclear test showed the country’s leader Kim Jong-un was guilty of “maniacal recklessness” in completely ignoring the world’s call to abandon his pursuit of nuclear weapons. | Quoting her office, Reuters says Park said that the North’s fifth nuclear test showed the country’s leader Kim Jong-un was guilty of “maniacal recklessness” in completely ignoring the world’s call to abandon his pursuit of nuclear weapons. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.33am BST | at 4.33am BST |
| 4.20am BST | 4.20am BST |
| 04:20 | 04:20 |
| Japan confirms explosion was nuclear test and lodges protest | Japan confirms explosion was nuclear test and lodges protest |
| Justin McCurry | Justin McCurry |
| Japan’s government spokesman, Yoshihide Suga, has told reporters that the government had determined that Friday’s earthquake was caused by a North Korean nuclear test. Suga did not explain how Japanese officials had arrived at that conclusion. | Japan’s government spokesman, Yoshihide Suga, has told reporters that the government had determined that Friday’s earthquake was caused by a North Korean nuclear test. Suga did not explain how Japanese officials had arrived at that conclusion. |
| The Japanese have also lodged a protest with the North Koreans, the Kyodo news agency said. | The Japanese have also lodged a protest with the North Koreans, the Kyodo news agency said. |
| Still no word from North Korea though. North Korean state TV did not, as some had speculated, confirm the test had taken place during its noon news broadcast, according to Martyn Williams who runs the North Korea Tech blog. Williams said the next broadcast was not due until 5pm local time. Confirmation could come from other sources, however, including the country’s state news agency KCNA. | Still no word from North Korea though. North Korean state TV did not, as some had speculated, confirm the test had taken place during its noon news broadcast, according to Martyn Williams who runs the North Korea Tech blog. Williams said the next broadcast was not due until 5pm local time. Confirmation could come from other sources, however, including the country’s state news agency KCNA. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.41am BST | at 4.41am BST |