North Korea conducts successful nuclear test

PYONGYANG North Korea has announced that it successfully completed its third underground nuclear test. This provoked strong reactions in the region and around the world. A confirmation of the nuclear test came three hours after observed seismic activity near North Korea's grounds for nuclear testing. North Korea conducts successful nuclear test Official news agency KCNA reported that "a miniature nuclear device of greater explosive power than before" was used, and that the test was performed in "a safe and perfect manner". Immediately after the confirmation, strong reactions followed. The UN Security Council will hold an emergency session today in New York. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the nuclear test as a "profoundly destabilizing" move, said his spokesman. "It is a clear and serious violation of Security Council resolutions," spokesman Martin Nesirki was quoted as saying. The U.S announced that the North Korean nuclear test was an "extremely provocative move" which "threatens U.S. security and peace in the world." In a statement, U.S. President Barack Obama pledged "to continue to take steps necessary for the self-defense" of his country and its allies - and urged the international community to undertake "swift and clear steps". Obama stated that nuclear tests "do not make North Korea more secure," but, as he said, Pyongyang's "desire for weapons of mass destruction" was increasingly isolating and impoverishing the people. British Foreign Secretary William Hague condemned the North Korean nuclear test and urged the Security Council "to respond strongly". "I strongly condemn such an act in violation of UN Security Council resolutions 1718, 1874 and 2087," Hague said in a statement. Britain will begin immediate consultations with its partners in the UN Security Council and invite them to a strong reaction to the latest events, it added. North Korea's nuclear test was also condemned by Russia and Japan. The two countries believe that it violates UN resolutions. The test "violates a number of UN Security Council resolutions. It is regrettable and we strongly protest against it," said Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. "We condemn these actions of North Korea, and we believe, as was the casewith the earlier launch of ballistic missiles, that it is a violation of UN Security Council resolutions," the Interfax news agency quoted an unnamed Russian diplomatic source. American seismologists registered an earthquake of 4.9 degrees on the Richter scale as the underground test was being carried out. It is speculated in media reports that testing a miniature nuclear bomb could bring Pyongyang a step closer to building a nuclear warhead small enough to be attached to a long-range missiles, which "could threaten the U.S." After North Korea last December launched a long-range missile, and a satellite into space, the UN Security Council, including China - under pressure from the U.S., South Korea and Japan - adopted a resolution imposing new sanctions against the country. (Beta/AP) Beta BBC

North Korea conducts successful nuclear test

Official news agency KCNA reported that "a miniature nuclear device of greater explosive power than before" was used, and that the test was performed in "a safe and perfect manner".

Immediately after the confirmation, strong reactions followed. The UN Security Council will hold an emergency session today in New York.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the nuclear test as a "profoundly destabilizing" move, said his spokesman. "It is a clear and serious violation of Security Council resolutions," spokesman Martin Nesirki was quoted as saying.

The U.S announced that the North Korean nuclear test was an "extremely provocative move" which "threatens U.S. security and peace in the world."

In a statement, U.S. President Barack Obama pledged "to continue to take steps necessary for the self-defense" of his country and its allies - and urged the international community to undertake "swift and clear steps".

Obama stated that nuclear tests "do not make North Korea more secure," but, as he said, Pyongyang's "desire for weapons of mass destruction" was increasingly isolating and impoverishing the people.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague condemned the North Korean nuclear test and urged the Security Council "to respond strongly".

"I strongly condemn such an act in violation of UN Security Council resolutions 1718, 1874 and 2087," Hague said in a statement.

Britain will begin immediate consultations with its partners in the UN Security Council and invite them to a strong reaction to the latest events, it added.

North Korea's nuclear test was also condemned by Russia and Japan. The two countries believe that it violates UN resolutions.

The test "violates a number of UN Security Council resolutions. It is regrettable and we strongly protest against it," said Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

"We condemn these actions of North Korea, and we believe, as was the casewith the earlier launch of ballistic missiles, that it is a violation of UN Security Council resolutions," the Interfax news agency quoted an unnamed Russian diplomatic source.

American seismologists registered an earthquake of 4.9 degrees on the Richter scale as the underground test was being carried out.

It is speculated in media reports that testing a miniature nuclear bomb could bring Pyongyang a step closer to building a nuclear warhead small enough to be attached to a long-range missiles, which "could threaten the U.S."

After North Korea last December launched a long-range missile, and a satellite into space, the UN Security Council, including China - under pressure from the U.S., South Korea and Japan - adopted a resolution imposing new sanctions against the country.