[ RadSafe ] North Korea claims nuclear test

[Dawson, Fred Mr]

North Korea claims nuclear test 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6032525.stm

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. 

Pyongyang triggered an international outcry last week, when it announced
plans to carry out the test. 
Japan said if the test was confirmed it would be a "grave threat", 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 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' 

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. 
South Korea's Yonhap news agency is reporting that the test took place
in Gilju in Hamgyong province at 1036 (0136 GMT). 




Fred Dawson