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North Korea conducts nuclear test | North Korea conducts nuclear test |
(11 minutes later) | |
North Korea has staged a "successful" underground nuclear test, the state-run KCNA agency reports. | North Korea has staged a "successful" underground nuclear test, the state-run KCNA agency reports. |
The agency says it was more powerful than the previous one in October 2006. | The agency says it was more powerful than the previous one in October 2006. |
US President Barack Obama described the North Korean action as a threat to international peace. Crisis talks were being held in South Korea. | US President Barack Obama described the North Korean action as a threat to international peace. Crisis talks were being held in South Korea. |
Just hours after the test, North Korea appeared to have test-fired a short-range missile, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported. | Just hours after the test, North Korea appeared to have test-fired a short-range missile, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported. |
Pyongyang has so far not commented on Yonhap's unconfirmed report. | Pyongyang has so far not commented on Yonhap's unconfirmed report. |
Preparations for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council later on Monday are under way. | Preparations for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council later on Monday are under way. |
'Safeguarding sovereignty' | 'Safeguarding sovereignty' |
Japanese Foreign Ministry: "We'll respond in a responsible manner" | |
An official communique read out on North Korean state radio said another round of underground nuclear testing had been "successfully conducted... as part of measures to enhance the Republic's self-defensive nuclear deterrent in all directions". | An official communique read out on North Korean state radio said another round of underground nuclear testing had been "successfully conducted... as part of measures to enhance the Republic's self-defensive nuclear deterrent in all directions". |
It said the test had been "safely conducted at a new high level in terms of explosive power and control technology". | It said the test had been "safely conducted at a new high level in terms of explosive power and control technology". |
The test would "contribute to safeguard the sovereignty of the country and the nation and socialism", the communique said. | The test would "contribute to safeguard the sovereignty of the country and the nation and socialism", the communique said. |
NUCLEAR CRISIS Oct 2006 - North Korea conducts an underground nuclear testFeb 2007 - North Korea agrees to close its main nuclear reactor in exchange for fuel aidJune 2007 - North Korea shuts its main Yongbyon reactorJune 2008 - North Korea makes its long-awaited declaration of nuclear assetsOct 2008 - The US removes North Korea from its list of countries which sponsor terrorismDec 2008 - Pyongyang slows work to dismantle its nuclear programme after a US decision to suspend energy aidJan 2009 - The North says it is scrapping all military and political deals with the South, accusing it of "hostile intent"April 2009 - Pyongyang launches a rocket carrying what it says is a communications satellite25 May 2009 - North Korea conducts a second nuclear test In quotes: Reaction to N Korea test Engage, appease, oppose? N Korea a problem for Obama Timeline: North Korea | |
The US Geological Survey said a 4.7-magnitude quake was detected at 0054 GMT, 10km (six miles) underground. | The US Geological Survey said a 4.7-magnitude quake was detected at 0054 GMT, 10km (six miles) underground. |
Geological agencies in both South Korea and the US said the tremor indicated a nuclear explosion, and the Russian defence ministry also confirmed a test had taken place. | Geological agencies in both South Korea and the US said the tremor indicated a nuclear explosion, and the Russian defence ministry also confirmed a test had taken place. |
Japanese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kazuo Kodama said Tokyo would respond "in a responsible fashion" at the UN, without giving further details. | Japanese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kazuo Kodama said Tokyo would respond "in a responsible fashion" at the UN, without giving further details. |
The European Union said that the development was "very worrying". | The European Union said that the development was "very worrying". |
Russia's UN ambassador said an emergency meeting of the Security Council would be held later on Monday. | Russia's UN ambassador said an emergency meeting of the Security Council would be held later on Monday. |
Washington - which says it is still analysing the available data on the test - had already warned of consequences if North Korea went ahead with a threatened nuclear test. | Washington - which says it is still analysing the available data on the test - had already warned of consequences if North Korea went ahead with a threatened nuclear test. |
South Korea's stock market fell 4% on the news, over fears that regional tensions would rise. | South Korea's stock market fell 4% on the news, over fears that regional tensions would rise. |
Rocket condemnation | Rocket condemnation |
The North gave no details of the location of the test. | The North gave no details of the location of the test. |
However, South Korean officials said earlier that a seismic tremor was detected in the north-eastern part around the town of Kilju - the site of North Korea's first nuclear test. | However, South Korean officials said earlier that a seismic tremor was detected in the north-eastern part around the town of Kilju - the site of North Korea's first nuclear test. |
Last month, Pyongyang pulled out of six-party talks on its nuclear programme, in protest against international condemnation of its test-firing of a rocket on 5 April. | Last month, Pyongyang pulled out of six-party talks on its nuclear programme, in protest against international condemnation of its test-firing of a rocket on 5 April. |
The UN Security Council adopted a statement calling on North Korea to comply with a 2006 resolution banning missile tests. | The UN Security Council adopted a statement calling on North Korea to comply with a 2006 resolution banning missile tests. |
Pyongyang says its rocket carried a satellite, but several nations viewed it as cover for a missile test. | Pyongyang says its rocket carried a satellite, but several nations viewed it as cover for a missile test. |
The six-party talks - involving the US, China, Japan, Russia and the two Koreas - have stalled over the failure of Pyongyang to verify the shutdown of the Yongbyon nuclear plant. | The six-party talks - involving the US, China, Japan, Russia and the two Koreas - have stalled over the failure of Pyongyang to verify the shutdown of the Yongbyon nuclear plant. |
North Korea had agreed to dismantle the facility as part of an aid-for-disarmament deal and, in response, the US removed North Korea from its terrorism blacklist. | North Korea had agreed to dismantle the facility as part of an aid-for-disarmament deal and, in response, the US removed North Korea from its terrorism blacklist. |
But the North now believes it is no longer bound by its previous bilateral agreements with the US and agreements under the six-party talks, reports the BBC's John Sudworth in Seoul, South Korea. | But the North now believes it is no longer bound by its previous bilateral agreements with the US and agreements under the six-party talks, reports the BBC's John Sudworth in Seoul, South Korea. |
Do you live in the region? What is your reaction to North Korea conducting a nuclear test? Send us your comments using the form below: | Do you live in the region? What is your reaction to North Korea conducting a nuclear test? Send us your comments using the form below: |
A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |