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North Korea claims nuclear test North Korea claims nuclear test
(20 minutes later)
North Korea says it has carried out its first test of a nuclear weapon, the state news agency (KCNA) has reported.North Korea says it has carried out its first test of a nuclear weapon, the state news agency (KCNA) has reported.
It said the underground test, carried out in defiance of international warnings, was a success and had not resulted in any leak of radiation.It said the underground test, carried out in defiance of international warnings, was a success and had not resulted in any leak of radiation.
Pyongyang triggered an international outcry last week, when it announced plans to carry out the test.Pyongyang triggered an international outcry last week, when it announced plans to carry out the test.
On Sunday, China and Japan said in a joint statement that they would not tolerate such an action. Japan said if the test was confirmed it would be a "grave threat", while China denounced the action as "brazen".
In response to the reported test, the South Korean armed forces have been put on a heightened state of alert, and President Roh Moo-hyun has called an emergency meeting of his government's National Security Council. Both countries had said in a joint statement ahead of the reported test that they would not tolerate such an action.
The White House condemned North Korea's nuclear test as a "provocative act", while South Korea said it would "sternly respond".
The South Korean armed forces have been put on a heightened state of alert, and President Roh Moo-hyun has called an emergency meeting of the National Security Council.
'Historic event''Historic event'
There has been no official confirmation of the test, although South Korea's Yonhap news agency is reporting that it took place in Gilju in Hamgyong province at 1036 (0136 GMT). There has been no official confirmation of the test, but the US Geological Survey said it had detected a 4.2 magnitude quake in North Korea that coincided with the claimed test.
KOREAN NUCLEAR CRISIS Sept 2005:At first hailed as a breakthrough, North Korea agrees to give up nuclear activitiesNext day, N Korea says it will not scrap its activities unless it gets a civilian nuclear reactorUS imposes financial sanctions on N Korea businessesJuly 2006: N Korea test-fires seven missilesUN Security Council votes to impose sanctions over the testsOct 2006: N Korea threatens nuclear test href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/2604437.stm" class="">N Korea nuclear timeline A South Korean official said an 3.5 magnitude seismic tremor had been detected in north Hamgyong province, in the north-east of North Korea. South Korea's Yonhap news agency is reporting that the test took place in Gilju in Hamgyong province at 1036 (0136 GMT).
KOREAN NUCLEAR CRISIS Sept 2005:At first hailed as a breakthrough, North Korea agrees to give up nuclear activitiesNext day, N Korea says it will not scrap its activities unless it gets a civilian nuclear reactorUS imposes financial sanctions on N Korea businessesJuly 2006: N Korea test-fires seven missilesUN Security Council votes to impose sanctions over the testsOct 2006: N Korea threatens nuclear test Reaction to nuclear test Full text: N. Korea statement N Korea nuclear timeline A South Korean official said an 3.5 magnitude seismic tremor had been detected in north Hamgyong province, in the north-east of North Korea.
When it announced the test, KCNA described it as an "historic event that brought happiness to our military and people".When it announced the test, KCNA described it as an "historic event that brought happiness to our military and people".
"The nuclear test will contribute to maintaining peace and stability in the Korean peninsula and surrounding region," KCNA said."The nuclear test will contribute to maintaining peace and stability in the Korean peninsula and surrounding region," KCNA said.
The region has been on high alert since North Korea announced last week that it would conduct a nuclear test.The region has been on high alert since North Korea announced last week that it would conduct a nuclear test.
Japan said that if the test was confirmed, it would be a "grave threat", while China denounced the action as "brazen". Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is in Seoul for a meeting with Mr Roh, a day after talks in Beijing.
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has just arrived in Seoul for a meeting with Mr Roh, following talks on the crisis with his Chinese counterparts in Beijing.
Mr Abe said Japan wanted to co-ordinate its response with the South Koreans, and was also in contact with the US and China.Mr Abe said Japan wanted to co-ordinate its response with the South Koreans, and was also in contact with the US and China.
In Tokyo, ministers were called to an urgent meeting, and the government set up a special task force.In Tokyo, ministers were called to an urgent meeting, and the government set up a special task force.
The US has yet to give an official response to the reported test, but US negotiator Christopher Hill said last week that North Korea must choose either to have a future or to have nuclear weapons, "but it cannot have them both".
What is your reaction to North Korea's announcement? Send us your comments.What is your reaction to North Korea's announcement? Send us your comments.
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