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World concerned over DPRK's nuclear test

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-05-25 21:54

South Korean soldiers participate in a military drill at an army unit in Hwacheon, about 20 km (12 miles) south of the demilitarised zone separating two Koreas, northeast of Seoul, May 22, 2009. [Agencies]

In a statement released by the official news agency KCNA, the DPRK government said the test was "part of the measures to bolster up its nuclear deterrent for self-defence in every way as requested by its scientists and technicians."

Related readings:  DPRK Conducts Nuclear Test Related readings:  Japan observes earthquake after DPRK missile launch  China 'resolutely opposes' DPRK's nuclear test  Russia urges DPRK to demonstrate responsibility  Russia says DPRK blast had 20 kilotonne force  Obama: DPRK nuclear test a 'grave concern'

"The current nuclear test was safely conducted on a new higher level in terms of its explosive power and technology of its control and the results of the test helped satisfactorily settle the scientific and technological problems arising in further increasing the power of nuclear weapons and steadily developing nuclear technology," the statement said.

But the brief statement did not give any details about the test, including its location.

The Seoul-based Korea Meteorological Administration said it detected an "artificial earthquake" of 4.5 magnitude around local time 09:54 a.m. (0054 GMT) Monday in North Hamkyong Province, 10 to 15 km away from the site where the DPRK staged its first nuclear test in 2006.

The test came after the UN Security Council adopted a presidential statement in late April, condemning the April 5 rocket launch by the DPRK and demanding the country "not conduct any further launch."

Pyongyang subsequently announced it was quitting the six-party talks on nuclear disarmament and would restart nuclear facilities in protest of the UN statement.

 

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