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North Korea said Monday it has successfully tested a nuclear device. "The field of scientific research in [North Korea] successfully conducted an underground nuclear test under secure conditions on Oct. 9, 2006,¡± the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. ¡°There was no danger of radioactive emissions in the course of the nuclear test as it was carried out under scientific considerations and careful calculation.¡±
The KCNA said the test was conducted with all the "wisdom and technology" at the North¡¯s disposal and was a ¡°historic breakthrough bringing great encouragement and joy to the nation¡¯s military and people, who have desperately wanted a powerful, self-reliant defense capability.¡± It claimed the test will contribute to protecting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the surrounding region. The announcement came six days after the North Korean foreign ministry warned of a future nuclear test in a statement on Oct. 3.
In South Korea, a state-run geological institute detected a tremor of 3.58-3.7 magnitude in a remote area of North Korea¡¯s North Hamgyeong Province at 10:35 a.m. on Monday and immediately reported it to President Roh Moo-hyun, according to Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Yoon Tae-young.
President Roh called an urgent National Security Council meeting. ¡°North Korea¡¯s self-proclaimed nuclear test is an intolerable provocation, and the government will respond sternly on the principle that it is unacceptable for North Korea to possess nuclear weapons,¡± the NSC said in a statement. ¡°The government will closely cooperate on this issue with the international community,¡± Yoon said. ¡°We particularly support an immediate discussion of the issue by the UN Security Council.¡±
The government said the test violates the 1991 Joint Declaration for the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, in which the two Koreas agreed not to produce, test, or possess nuclear weapons. ¡°The responsibility for all the consequences, including relations between South and North Korea, lies entirely with North Korea,¡± it added.
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Cheong Wa Dae in heavy fog after the news came out that North Korea carried out a underground nuclear test on Monday morning.
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The world strongly denounced Pyongyang¡¯s claim to have conducted an underground nuclear test. The UN Security Council convened on Monday morning to discuss concrete sanctions against the North.
White House spokesman Tony Snow condemned the purported test. ¡°A North Korean nuclear test would constitute a provocative act,¡± Snow said. ¡°We expect the Security Council to take immediate action to respond to this unprovoked act.¡± In statement, he said Washington ¡°reaffirms its commitment to protect and defend our allies in the region.¡± The U.S. National Security Council and related departments including the defense and state departments held late-night meetings to discuss a response.
The U.S. Geological Survey also said it detected a 4.2 magnitude quake in North Korea, but the U.S. government has not yet officially confirmed whether North Korea really succeeded in a nuclear test.
China said the North ¡°ignored universal opposition from the international community and flagrantly conducted the nuclear test. The Chinese government is resolutely opposed¡± to the test, China¡¯s Foreign Ministry said in a statement. ¡°It has been the firm, unshakable and consistent position of the Chinese government to realize denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and oppose proliferation of nuclear weapons,¡± the statement said. ¡°China demands that [North Korea] lives up to its commitment to denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and stops any activity that may worsen the situation.¡± But Beijing repeatedly stressed the need for a peaceful resolution. ¡°The Chinese government calls for a calm response from all parties concerned and urges them to stick to peaceful resolution of the issue through consultation and dialogue.¡±
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Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe talks to the press on at a Seoul hotel on Monday after North Korea said it has performed its first-ever nuclear weapons test./AP
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In Japan, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki told reporters the test, if it was actually conducted, presents a "serious threat not only to our country, but also to Northeast Asia as well as international society,¡± challenges the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and violates the Pyongyang Declaration between the two countries and a statement of principles in six-nation talks on the North¡¯s nuclear program. He said Japan ¡°solemnly protests¡± against any such action.
The Japanese government set up a crisis management taskforce in the prime minister¡¯s official residence at 11:30 a.m., right after the news came out. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who is on a trip to South Korea, told Japanese reporters, ¡°I asked the Chief Cabinet Secretary to confirm related facts. We should keep in touch with the U.S. and China to collect and analyze information.¡±
The South Korean military is reportedly considering raising Watchcon (military indications and warning) over the test a step higher. ¡°We are considering whether to raise Watchcon from the current 3 to 2,¡± an official with the Joint Chiefs of Staff said. ¡°It will be decided by factors such as the North Korean military¡¯s movement.¡± But there is apparently no plan to raise the defense readiness -- or defcon -- status, as would be done in case of war. An increased watchcon level boosts surveillance activities of the North by U.S. surveillance satellites and U-2 planes.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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