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UN debates action over N Korea UN debates action over N Korea
(about 7 hours later)
The UN Security Council is debating action against North Korea over claims it carried out nuclear tests, with China and Russia urging sanctions.The UN Security Council is debating action against North Korea over claims it carried out nuclear tests, with China and Russia urging sanctions.
China, North Korea's traditional ally, has called for punitive action against the country but - like Russia - it is against the use of military force.China, North Korea's traditional ally, has called for punitive action against the country but - like Russia - it is against the use of military force.
Japan has also urged sanctions, while South Korea said its military was remaining on high alert.Japan has also urged sanctions, while South Korea said its military was remaining on high alert.
The security council is discussing a US proposal to impose strict sanctions.The security council is discussing a US proposal to impose strict sanctions.
The US ambassador to the UN said while the US would not rule out using force, it was seeking a diplomatic solution.The US ambassador to the UN said while the US would not rule out using force, it was seeking a diplomatic solution.
It has proposed a 13-point draft resolution, 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. A South Korean seismologist has warned that North Korea could repeat a nuclear test in order to ensure the accuracy of its results.
And a Japanese TV channel reported that Tokyo officials were investigating reports of a further nuclear test following earth tremors in the area.
The nuclear test... marks a historic event... It will contribute to defending peace and stability North Korean statement Underground nuclear testing China's 'nightmare scenario' 'Nuclear test' worries press
But South Korean experts said they had detected no seismic activity.
The US has proposed a 13-point draft resolution and 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.
BBC correspondent Laura Trevelyan, who is at the UN headquarters in New York, said there appeared to be some disagreement on the scope of the measures.BBC correspondent Laura Trevelyan, who is at the UN headquarters in New York, said there appeared to be some disagreement on the scope of the measures.
Some think that the US proposals for a complete ban on military trade and inspections of all the cargo going in and out of North Korea are too stringent.
She added Japan's UN ambassador Kenzo Oshima said the security council has not been able to get agreement on Chapter Seven, which is of concern to China and Russia.
The diplomats say they want a resolution quickly, but at this stage it appears one will be reached closer to the end of the week rather than in the next 24 hours.The diplomats say they want a resolution quickly, but at this stage it appears one will be reached closer to the end of the week rather than in the next 24 hours.
'Colossal blow''Colossal blow'
Earlier, the South Korean Prime Minister, Han Myung-sook, said Seoul would not support a resolution including a threat of military force.Earlier, the South Korean Prime Minister, Han Myung-sook, said Seoul would not support a resolution including a threat of military force.
Russia has described the reported nuclear test as a "colossal blow" but stressed the solution was not military force.Russia has described the reported nuclear test as a "colossal blow" but stressed the solution was not military force.
HAVE YOUR SAY What is the world coming to? Mankind should be so much more civilized than this Jessica Cogswell, USA Send us your comments
Russia, which like China has resisted sanctions in the past, has said it is "ready to take part in joint efforts of the interested parties to arrive at a peaceful, diplomatic settlement of the situation".Russia, which like China has resisted sanctions in the past, has said it is "ready to take part in joint efforts of the interested parties to arrive at a peaceful, diplomatic settlement of the situation".
The nuclear test... marks a historic event... It will contribute to defending peace and stability North Korean statement Underground nuclear testing China's 'nightmare scenario' 'Nuclear test' worries press
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 country that holds the most influence over the isolated regime - is seen by many analysts to be key in moving the crisis forward.
China's UN ambassador, Wang Guangya, has said North Korea must face "some punitive actions" for conducting a nuclear test.China's UN ambassador, Wang Guangya, has said North Korea must face "some punitive actions" for conducting a nuclear test.
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."
In further developments, a South Korean seismologist has warned that North Korea could repeat a nuclear test in order to ensure the accuracy of its results. 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 href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/1907197.stm" class="">N Korea's mercurial leader href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6032577.stm" class="">Reaction to nuclear test href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6033455.stm" class="">N Korea's home-made bomb
"They will not end the test after only one experience. As it has to gather various data, the nuclear test can be conducted again," Chi Heon-cheol, Chief Seismologist at the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources said. North Korea's neighbours remain tense in the wake of Monday's announcement.
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. 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.
South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun feared the move could "spark a nuclear arms build-up in other countries" but Japan, the only nation to suffer atomic attack, has pledged that it will not develop nuclear weapons in response.South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun feared the move could "spark a nuclear arms build-up in other countries" but Japan, the only nation to suffer atomic attack, has pledged that it will not develop nuclear weapons in response.
'Further communication'
New Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told the Japanese parliament: "Possession of nuclear arms is not an option at all for our country."New Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told the Japanese parliament: "Possession of nuclear arms is not an option at all for our country."
India, which carried out nuclear tests in 1998, condemned the test, and said it supported the six-party talks. India, which carried out nuclear tests in 1998, condemned the test, and British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said it "posed a clear threat to international peace and security".
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said: "A further erosion of the non-proliferation regime is not in our interest. We do not support the emergence of another nuclear weapons state."
HAVE YOUR SAY What is the world coming to? Mankind should be so much more civilized than this Jessica Cogswell, USA Send us your comments
French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy told the French parliament on Tuesday: "These sanctions particularly concern the ballistic missile programme but also the weapons of mass destruction programme.
"We hope that this resolution will be adopted as quickly as possible."
British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said the claimed test "poses a clear threat to international peace and security".
US ambassador to the UN John Bolton said that while the US would never rule out the use of force, they were seeking a diplomatic solution to the crisis through the UN.
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 test N Korea's home-made bomb
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.
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.
Confirmation of the bomb has not been made, and a White House spokesman said there was a "remote possibility that we'll never know" the size of it.Confirmation of the bomb has not been made, and a White House spokesman said there was a "remote possibility that we'll never know" the size of it.
The lack of information over the blast has cast some doubts over North Korea's claim, with suggestions that the blast may have been produced by conventional explosives as part of a ruse.The lack of information over the blast has cast some doubts over North Korea's claim, with suggestions that the blast may have been produced by conventional explosives as part of a ruse.
But 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 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.