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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2257632/posts
U.S. unable to confirm N.K.’s nuke test
Korea Times ^ | 5.24.09
Posted on May 24, 2009 9:40:13 PM PDT by libh8er
The United States said Monday that it was trying to determine the authenticity of North Korea’s claim that it conducted a second nuclear test just hours earlier, according to Yonhap News.
“We are aware of the reports of a nuclear test by North Korea,” a State Department official said, requesting anonymity. “We are consulting with our allies. Once we have established the facts, we will have more to say. At this point, I do not have a timeline as to when there will be more to say.”
North Korea said it conducted an underground nuclear test Monday morning (Seoul time) to “bolster up its nuclear deterrent for self-defense.”
South Korean officials said that they detected seismic tremors in the northeastern city of Poongkye-ri, North Hamgyong Province, near the site where the North detonated its first nuclear device in 2006.
The announcement on the North’s nuclear test came as Japanese vessels had stayed away from waters off North Korea’s northeastern coast following the North’s warning of possible missile launches.
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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2257628/posts
N. Korea’s 2nd nuke test occurred few kilometers from previous test site: weather agency
Yonhap News ^ | 05/25/09
Posted on 05/24/2009 9:34:53 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
N. Korea’s 2nd nuke test occurred few kilometers from previous test site: weather agency
SEOUL, May 25 (Yonhap) — North Korea’s second nuclear test on Monday appeared to have taken place 10-15 km away from the site of the first test in the country’s northeast, Seoul’s weather agency said.
Pyongyang’s state media confirmed the country has “successfully” conducted the underground nuclear test but did not say where it took place.
The Seoul-based Korea Meteorological Administration said it detected seismic waves from the nuclear test 10 to 15 km away from the 2006 test site around the town of Kilju, North Hamgyong Province.
“The waves were detected 10 to 15 kilometers away from the previous test site,” said the administration’s earthquake detector, Yoo Yong-gyu.
The agency also said the artificial earthquake was detected at 9:54 a.m. with a 4.5 magnitude. In the previous test, the detected magnitude was 3.6, it said.
The North said on the second test was conducted on “a new higher level in terms of its explosive power and technology of its control.”