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North Korea claims nuclear test North Korea claims nuclear test
(30 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. The White House said South Korean and US intelligence had detected a seismic event at a suspected test site.
Japan said if the test was confirmed it would be a "grave threat", while China denounced the action as "brazen". Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the test was "unpardonable", while China denounced the action as "brazen".
Both countries had said in a joint statement ahead of the reported test that they would not tolerate such an action. The White House said the test, if confirmed, would constitute "a provocative act".
The White House condemned North Korea's nuclear test as a "provocative act", while South Korea said it would "sternly respond". We expect the UN Security Council to take immediate actions to respond to this unprovoked act Tony SnowWhite House spokesman href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6032577.stm" class="">Reaction to nuclear test href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6032597.stm" class="">Full text: N Korea statement "We expect the UN Security Council to take immediate actions to respond to this unprovoked act," said spokesman Tony Snow.
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. South Korea said it would "sternly respond".
President Roh Moo-hyun has called an emergency meeting of the National Security Council and put the armed forces on a heightened state of alert.
Seoul also suspended a scheduled aid shipment to North Korea, the state news agency reported.
'Historic event''Historic event'
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. The US Geological Survey said it had detected a 4.2 magnitude quake in North Korea, while a South Korean official said a 3.5 magnitude seismic tremor had been detected in north Hamgyong province, in the north-east.
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 href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/2340405.stm" class="">Q&A: Nuclear stand-off href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/2604437.stm" class="">N Korea nuclear timeline 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'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 is in Seoul for a meeting with Mr Roh, a day after talks 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.
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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