North Korea Conducts Underground Nuclear Bomb Test
May 24, 2009 by national
Filed under World Report
North Korea Conducts Underground Nuclear Bomb Test
Tremors from a 4.7 magnitude artificial earthquake were detected just before ten o’clock local time, after North Korea detonated a bomb in a bunker six miles underground.
The rogue state, which had previously tested a nuclear weapon in October 2006, boasted that its latest test was more powerful “in terms of its explosive power” and more technologically-advanced.
“We successfully conducted another underground nuclear test on May 25 as part of measures aimed at strengthening our self-defence nuclear deterrent in every way,” said the state-run North Korean news wire.
The test will “contribute to safeguarding our sovereignty and socialism and guaranteeing peace and safety on the Korean peninsula and the surrounding region,” it added.
The test site was around 230 miles north east of Pyongyang, according to the United States Geological Survey. The location is just a few miles from where North Korea tested its first nuclear device in 2006.
Yonhap, the South Korean news wire, also reported that a single ground-to-air missile, with a range of 80 miles, was fired from a launch site nearby just a few hours later. The rogue state is not thought to have yet developed a missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, experts said.
Taro Aso, the Japanese prime minister, said he would set up a task force to handle the situation and seek an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss a plan of action.
The US, meanwhile, said it was not able to confirm the reports of a test, and was seeking “more information from its allies” before making a statement.
Report: Pyongyang also test-fires short-range missile…
Korea military forms crisis team…
Japan says test ‘unacceptable’…
Obama already responded with this video. As North Korea Goes Nuclear, this Obama Speech Only Emboldens Our Enemies. Watch, http://tinyurl.com/okw3lx