Monday, October 09, 2006

North Korea conducts first nuclear test

North Korea has announced that it has conducted its first underground nuclear test. From CNN:
North Korea on Monday claimed it has performed a successful nuclear test, according to that country's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

South Korean government officials also said North Korea performed its first nuclear test, the South's Yonhap news agency reported.

The apparent nuclear test was conducted at 10:36 a.m. (0136 GMT) in Hwaderi near Kilju city, Yonhap reported, citing defense officials.

"The field of scientific research in the DPRK (North Korea's official name) successfully conducted an underground nuclear test under secure conditions on October 9 ... at a stirring time when all the people of the country are making a great leap forward in the building of a great prosperous powerful socialist nation," KCNA reported.

Late Sunday in Washington, a U.S. military official told CNN that "something clearly has happened," but the Pentagon was working to fully confirm the report.

Senior U.S. officials said they also believed the test took place, citing seismic data that appeared to show one.

South Korean intelligence officials said a seismic wave of magnitude-3.58 had been detected in North Hamkyung province, according to Yonhap.
Update: World reacts to North Korea's nuclear test. (Thanks Mr Big)

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

There goes world peace!

Anonymous said...

the united states should have deal with north korea earlier. they should have started talks with them directly instead of insisting on the six way talks.

Anonymous said...

Funny how a country with a majority of its people suffering can afford to build a nuclear bomb.

Shouldn't Kim Jong Il concentrate on building nuclear reactors to power the country? Or use the money to improve the lives of its people?

Anonymous said...

Great! Now Iran will try to conduct its own nuclear test too.

Anonymous said...

I think the US will definitely talk with the North Koreans now.

It is a good move by the North Koreans. With the world knowing that they have a nuclear bomb, no country will make the first move to attack them.

In this age, having a nuclear weapon guarantees you of security for your country.

Anonymous said...

kim jong il must be celebrating tonight at one of the night clubs there. hahaha!!

Anonymous said...

"The goes world peace!"

Mr Big: There's no world peace to begin with. =oP

Anonymous said...

I cannot believe it. I thought the North Koreans have been bluffing all the while.

Anonymous said...

the north koreans have a sense of humor:

North Korea's ambassador to the U.N. Pak Kil-yon said the council should "congratulate" North Korea's scientists and researchers "instead of [issuing] such notorious, useless and reckless resolutions or whatever the statement against" North Korea.

Pak said the test was "very, very successful" and will contribute "to the maintenance and guarantee of peace and security in the peninsula and the region."

When asked if North Korea plans to conduct further tests, Pak told reporters "that will be enough, you don't think so?"

Anonymous said...

What timing!

North Korea tests its nuclear bomb and a South Korean is voted as the new UN Sec-Gen.

Anonymous said...

No one can really be sure that it was a nuclear explosion.

Maybe the North Korea is still bluffing.

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