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N Korea 'facing tough measures' N Korea 'facing tough measures'
(10 minutes later)
North Korea faces tough international measures and further isolation over its claim to have tested a nuclear bomb, diplomats said.North Korea faces tough international measures and further isolation over its claim to have tested a nuclear bomb, diplomats said.
The international community has strongly condemned the North. Pyongyang's closest ally China has refused to rule out the possibility of UN sanctions, but described the chance of military action as "unimaginable".
The US described the reported test as a "provocative act", while Pyongyang's closest ally China says it has had a "negative impact" on relations. The US has described the reported test as a "provocative act".
The UN Security Council is considering a draft resolution that proposes strict financial and trade sanctions.The UN Security Council is considering a draft resolution that proposes strict financial and trade sanctions.
'Appropriate action''Appropriate action'
It is not yet clear if China and Russia, which have opposed sanctions in the past, will change their position. The response of China - the country that holds the most influence over the isolated regime - is seen by many analysts to be key in moving the crisis forward.
The response of China - the nearest the North has to a political ally, and the country that holds the most influence over the isolated regime - is seen by many analysts to be key in moving the crisis forward.
The nuclear test... marks a historic event... It will contribute to defending peace and stability North Korean statement Underground nuclear testing N Korea's home-made bomb Arms race fearsThe nuclear test... marks a historic event... It will contribute to defending peace and stability North Korean statement Underground nuclear testing N Korea's home-made bomb Arms race fears
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said: "This will no doubt have a negative impact on China and North Korea's relations."Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said: "This will no doubt have a negative impact on China and North Korea's relations."
He said the UN should take "appropriate action" but added that China was still considering the nature of that action.He said the UN should take "appropriate action" but added that China was still considering the nature of that action.
However, when asked what China thought of the possibility of military action, Mr Liu told a news conference: "I think this is an unimaginable way."
North Korea's neighbours remain tense in the wake of Monday's announcement. China has reportedly cancelled leave for troops along part of its border with the North, and South Korean forces have been ordered to stay alert.North Korea's neighbours remain tense in the wake of Monday's announcement. China has reportedly cancelled leave for troops along part of its border with the North, and South Korean forces have been ordered to stay alert.
There is still a degree of uncertainty about the size and nature of the device which North Korea claims to have exploded.There is still a degree of uncertainty about the size and nature of the device which North Korea claims to have exploded.
Scientists in South Korea say they believe the North's claim is genuine, but they are still trying to get further confirmation. Experts have warned that it could take up to two weeks to reach a proper conclusion.Scientists in South Korea say they believe the North's claim is genuine, but they are still trying to get further confirmation. Experts have warned that it could take up to two weeks to reach a proper conclusion.
Tough measuresTough measures
Meeting in New York, the UN Security Council strongly condemned North Korea over its claimed test.Meeting in New York, the UN Security Council strongly condemned North Korea over its claimed test.
It is also weighing up options for punitive action, and is considering a 13-point draft resolution proposed by the US, seeking targeted sanctions. The proposals include:It is also weighing up options for punitive action, and is considering a 13-point draft resolution proposed by the US, seeking targeted sanctions. The proposals include:
  • Halting trade in material that could be used to make weapons of mass destruction
  • Halting trade in material that could be used to make weapons of mass destruction
  • Inspections of cargo going in and out of North Korea
  • Inspections of cargo going in and out of North Korea
  • The ending of financial transactions used to support nuclear proliferation
  • The ending of financial transactions used to support nuclear proliferation
  • A ban on the import of luxury goods
  • A ban on the import of luxury goods
    • "We're working on a set of measures that will really make the North Koreans regret what they've done, and more importantly, that will protect us from what they've done," said Christopher Hill, the lead US negotiator with Pyongyang."We're working on a set of measures that will really make the North Koreans regret what they've done, and more importantly, that will protect us from what they've done," said Christopher Hill, the lead US negotiator with Pyongyang.
    HAVE YOUR SAY What is the world coming to? Mankind should be so much more civilized than this Jessica Cogswell, USA Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY What is the world coming to? Mankind should be so much more civilized than this Jessica Cogswell, USA Send us your comments
    The US wants to see the sanctions brought under Chapter Seven of the UN Charter, which means they would be mandatory and ultimately enforceable by military means.The US wants to see the sanctions brought under Chapter Seven of the UN Charter, which means they would be mandatory and ultimately enforceable by military means.
    Japan, too, has joined Washington's push for tough sanctions, and South Korea has promised to review its so-called "sunshine policy" of engagement with its reclusive neighbour.Japan, too, has joined Washington's push for tough sanctions, and South Korea has promised to review its so-called "sunshine policy" of engagement with its reclusive neighbour.
    In his first public statement since the reported test, US President Bush said the North Korean claim "constitutes a threat to international peace and security."In his first public statement since the reported test, US President Bush said the North Korean claim "constitutes a threat to international peace and security."
    N KOREA NUCLEAR PROGRAMME Believed to have 'handful' of nuclear weaponsBut not thought to have any small enough to put in a missileCould try dropping from plane, though world watching closely N Korea's mercurial leader Reaction to nuclear testN KOREA NUCLEAR PROGRAMME Believed to have 'handful' of nuclear weaponsBut not thought to have any small enough to put in a missileCould try dropping from plane, though world watching closely N Korea's mercurial leader Reaction to nuclear test
    Asian leaders also responded angrily to Pyongyang's claim.Asian leaders also responded angrily to Pyongyang's claim.
    "North Korea's latest announcement is a serious challenge to Japan's security," Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was quoted a saying on Tuesday."North Korea's latest announcement is a serious challenge to Japan's security," Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was quoted a saying on Tuesday.
    South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun feared the move could "spark a nuclear arms build-up in other countries", and Unification Minister Lee Jong-seok called the tests a "grave threat" that South Korea "cannot tolerate".South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun feared the move could "spark a nuclear arms build-up in other countries", and Unification Minister Lee Jong-seok called the tests a "grave threat" that South Korea "cannot tolerate".
    Only Iran, which also faces Security Council action over its failure to suspend its uranium enrichment programme - has voiced support for North Korea.Only Iran, which also faces Security Council action over its failure to suspend its uranium enrichment programme - has voiced support for North Korea.
    Size uncertainSize uncertain
    The underground test reportedly took place in Gilju in Hamgyong province at 1036 (0136 GMT) on Monday morning.The underground test reportedly took place in Gilju in Hamgyong province at 1036 (0136 GMT) on Monday morning.
    The size of the bomb is still uncertain, with estimates varying from 550 tons of destructive power to as much as 15 kilotons.The size of the bomb is still uncertain, with estimates varying from 550 tons of destructive power to as much as 15 kilotons.
    If confirmed, the test will give North Korea a place as a nuclear power alongside the US, Russia, Britain, France, India, Pakistan and China. Israel is also widely believed to have nuclear capabilities.If confirmed, the test will give North Korea a place as a nuclear power alongside the US, Russia, Britain, France, India, Pakistan and China. Israel is also widely believed to have nuclear capabilities.
    But correspondents say that just because Pyongyang has nuclear capabilities, it does not necessarily have a fully-fledged nuclear bomb, or a warhead that it can deliver to a target.But correspondents say that just because Pyongyang has nuclear capabilities, it does not necessarily have a fully-fledged nuclear bomb, or a warhead that it can deliver to a target.