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North Korea Conducted Nuclear Weapons Test
North Korea performed its first-ever nuclear weapons test at 10:36 a.m. local time Monday (3:36 a.m. MSK).
The test was successful with no radioactive leakage from the site, the official news agency of North Korea announced. According to South Korean Defense Ministry, the test was conducted underground in Hwadaeri close to Kilju.
South Korean intelligence officials announced a magnitude of 3.58 tremor, the Richer scale, was felt when North Korea said it conducted the test.
North Korean President Roh Moo-hyun is currently discussing the situation with officials of security bodies of the country.
In Japan, the cabinet of ministers is holding an emergency meeting because of the nuclear test in North Korea, AP reported. A special work group is being set up to study the information and recommend some response steps to be taken by Tokyo.
The radioactive level in the Primorie region, the border with North Korea, is normal, RIA Novosti reported Monday. “The situation is under control of the Main Department of the RF Emergency Ministry for Primorie Region. There is no threat to the population,” representative of the news service told RIA Novosti, adding the experts of the department regularly measure the radiation background.
The United States doesn’t intend to take military action in response to the nuclear weapons test conducted by North Korea, White House spokesman Tony Snow made clear to reporters. It was a provocation, the White House said, pointing out they expect the U.N. Security Council to respond immediately.
South Korea will toughly react to the nuclear weapons test conducted by North Korea October 9. Defense Ministry of South Korea has stepped up the alertness of armed forces, Reuters said. Seoul won’t put up with the fact that its northern neighbor has nuclear weapons now, news service of South Korean president announced.
A number of countries, including the United States and Great Britain, have condemned the nuclear test of North Korea. The U.S. White House and the U.K. Foreign Office called it a provocation and urged the world community to respond immediately.
If actually convened, the nuclear weapons test in North Korea could be viewed as provocation and calls for immediate interference of the U.N. Security Council, White House spokesman Tony Snow said as quoted by Reuters.
The United States is closely following the progress in the situation and confirms all previous commitments to defend allies in the region, Tony Snow said.
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