NKorea says it has conducted a second nuclear test
 

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - North Korea announced Monday that it successfully carried out a second underground nuclear test, less than two months after launching a rocket widely believed to be a test of its long-range missile technology.

North Korea, incensed by U.N. Security Council condemnation of its April 5 rocket launch, had warned last month that it would restart it rogue nuclear program, conduct a second atomic test as a follow-up to its first one in 2006, and carry out long-range missile tests.

On Monday, the country's official Korean Central News Agency said the regime "successfully conducted one more underground nuclear test on May 25 as part of measures to bolster its nuclear deterrent for self-defense."

The regime boasted that the test was conducted "on a new higher level in terms of its explosive power and technology of its control."

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak convened an emergency security session. His spokesman, Lee Dong-kwan, confirmed that a North Korean nuclear test was possible.

In Washington, State Department spokesman Andy Laine said: "At this point, we've seen the reports and we're trying to get more information, but we're not able to confirm at this time."

Seismologists from the U.S., South Korea and Japan reported activity shortly after 9:50 a.m. in a northeastern area where North Korea conducted its first nuclear test in 2006.

The Japan Meteorological Agency measured the seismic activity at magnitude-5.3. Quake expert Gen Aoki noted that its depth was "very shallow."

"The area is not active seismically so it is highly possible that it could be an artificial quake," Aoki said in Tokyo.

In Seoul, the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources reported seismic activity in Kilju in North Hamgyong Province—the same area where North Korea carried out a nuclear test in October 2006.

Seismological measurements back North Korea's claim that the test was far stronger than in 2006.

At the Chinese border city of Yanji, 130 miles (200 kilometers) northwest from the test site, an emergency siren sounded shortly before 9 a.m. when officials thought an earthquake occurred. A receptionist at Yanji's International Hotel said she and several hotel guests felt the ground tremble.

An official at Yanji's government seismological bureau, who declined to give his name, said his agency confirmed that some type of explosion occurred, "but it is hard to say what kind of blast it was."

North Korea's 2006 test measured magnitude-3.6, an official at the Korea Meteorological Administration in Seoul said. He spoke on condition of anonymity, citing department policy.

Monday's test raises the stakes in North Korea's standoff over its nuclear and missile programs.

North Korea conducted its first nuclear test in October 2006, drawing widespread international condemnation and drawing stiff sanctions from the U.N. Security Council.

The Security Council demanded that North Korea eliminate its nuclear weapons and ordered countries to prevent Pyongyang from importing or exporting any material for weapons of mass destruction or ballistic missiles.

The surprise nuclear test prompted five nations to pressure the North to agree to dismantle its nuclear program in exchange for energy aid and other concessions—a pact Pyongyang signed in February 2007. North Korea began disablement in November 2007.

That process came to a halt in July 2008.

South Korean troops were on a high alert but there was no sign North Korean troops were amassed along the heavily fortified border dividing the two Koreas, according to an official at the Joint Chiefs of Staff who spoke on condition of anonymity, citing agency policy.

North Korea is believed to have at least a half-dozen atomic bombs. However, experts say North Korean scientists have not yet mastered the miniaturization technology for mounting a nuclear device onto a long-range missile.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php...show_article=1

The asian wars/WW3 will happen...

Baddies

China.
North Korea.
Iran.
Russia.
Burma.
Syria.
Somalia.
Sudan.
Zimbabwe.
Kazakhstan.
Kyrgyzstan.
Uzbekistan.
Venezuela.
Cuba.

Goodies

UK.
US.
Spain.
France.
Germany.
Italy.
Poland.
Ukraine.
Hungary.
Finland.
Sweeden.
Norway.
Turkey.
Israel.
Egypt.
Jordan.
Iraq.
Pakistan.
India.
Thailand.
Australia.
South Korea.
Japan.
South Africa.
Mexico.
Brazil.

Andyman the Yanks are Not Good
Illegal Invasion into Iraq dragging the UK into it as well
put America as a Evil Nation.


Also China is part of the Nuke Club.
Part of the Yank Deal.

And You should watch Pakistan
as that can change Power fast
infact they are viewed as a Nation that is not safe anymore.
The Munbai attacks showed the World how bad Pakistan is.



You are so Out of Date.

Cue another few cowardly and ineffective sanctions, only for NK to ignore them and do another one in another 6 months.

Yes more wasted sanctions.
Bang On Right

Wise Shaun.

But arista wants NK to do what they want and have many Nukes!




Arista No Brains.

The UN will do nothing and China won't, they're biding their time with this to see where it goes.

Utter Rubbish.
You Do Not Speak For ME.

They have Nukes so do many other bad Nations
but none of them are using them.
FACT.



ANDYMAN NO BRAINS.

For a minute I was like "where's Nkorea?" hahahaha
and it's really interesting actually - i study the Cold War at A-level and obv Korea is a part in it, it's interesting how in essence the Cold War is still contuing

I love Andyman and Arista's Rivalry

it has all the Making's to be an epic

It is an epic already, it will only get better!


Back on topic though, what sanctions could the UN impose now?

Yes hell of a History
after that Yanks wrecked half this Planet.

No
He just Lacks Proper Education.

Bang On Right
Wise Iceman.

I'm of split minds about the whole thing - I don't see how the West can morally object to nuclear weapons whilst still in posession of them.

I mean, of course, we got them at a time when international relations were incredibly hostile, and I don't mean to downplay the Cold War - but mutual disarmament needs to be instigated by someone, and if it means we get extra brownie points, why shouldn't we start?

I want a bomb.

...you are the bomb.

If you have the Cash
go buy one in Russia
but do not enter the UK with it,
as you will be Locked away.