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{{current|date=February 2013}}
{{current|date=February 2013}}
{{DPRK WMD}}
{{DPRK WMD}}
On 12 February 2013, North Korean state media announced it had conducted an underground nuclear test, its third in seven years. A tremor, on the order of magnitude 5.1 with a bomb signature, was detected by the [[United States Geological Survey]]. Japan has summoned an emergency UN meeting for February 12, and South Korea, Japa, and the United states have responded to the provocation.
On 12 February 2013, North Korean state media announced it had conducted an underground nuclear test, its third in seven years. A tremor, on the order of magnitude 5.1 with a bomb signature, was detected by the [[United States Geological Survey]]. Japan has summoned an emergency UN meeting for February 12. South Korea has raised its military alert status, and Japan and the United States have scrambled military jets to confirm a radiation signature.


==Incident==
==Incident==

Revision as of 07:58, 12 February 2013

North Korea and weapons
of mass destruction
North Korea and weapons of mass destruction
North Korea and weapons of mass destruction
Events
See also

On 12 February 2013, North Korean state media announced it had conducted an underground nuclear test, its third in seven years. A tremor, on the order of magnitude 5.1 with a bomb signature, was detected by the United States Geological Survey. Japan has summoned an emergency UN meeting for February 12. South Korea has raised its military alert status, and Japan and the United States have scrambled military jets to confirm a radiation signature.

Incident

On Tuesday 12 February 2013, North Korea said it had successfully conducted a third underground nuclear test according to the Korean Central News Agency.[1] They also said the test had used a miniaturised nuclear device with greater explosive power.[2]

Before they announced they had conducted their third nuclear test, seismic activity had already been detected by the USGS in North Korea, near the site of previous nuclear tests at Mantapsan in Kilju County. A large tremor, first estimated at magnitude of 4.9, was detected in North Korea and governments in the region were trying to determine whether it was a third nuclear test. The USGS upgraded the magnitude of the possible nuclear tremor from 4.9 to 5.1. located 23km ENE of Sungjibaegam, North Korea.[3] The tremor occurred at 11:57 a.m Korean time (0257 GMT) and the USGS said the epicenter of the event was only one kilometer deep. South Korea's defense ministry said the event reading indicated the blast of six to seven kilotons. [4][5][6][7]

However, there are experts who pointed out that a 4.9 magnitude of tremor should be equivalent to about 20kt of TNT blast. [8][9]

Reaction

Regional

In response, Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called an urgent security meeting of the UN Security Council. The emergency session is to be held 9 AM EST on February 12.[10] Tibor Toth, executive secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization Preparatory Commission (CTBTO), confirmed the event's location was "roughly congruent with" nuclear tests carried out by North Korea in 2006 and 2009.[11] U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned the test, and called it a "clear and grave violation" of security council resolutions.[12] Japan's Kyodo News service reported the Japanese defense ministry had scrambled aircraft to hunt for radiation effects.[13] Japan's government is holding a national security council meeting in Tokyo according to NHK.[14] The South Korean military has also raised its readiness level.[15]

Russia

Russia "decisively condemned" the nuclear test calling it a violation of Pyongyang's international obligations.[16]

United Kingdom

British Foreign Secretary William Hague said: "I strongly condemn this development, which is a violation of UN Security Council Resolutions 1718, 1874 and 2087.[17]

United States

U.S. President Obama called the test 'highly provocative,' and said that it 'undermines regional stability'. He vows actions to defend U.S. and its allies.[18] The United States sent aircraft equipped with sensors that may be able to determine whether it was a plutonium or uranium weapon.[19]

See also

References

  1. ^ "(URGENT) N. Korea confirms it conducted 3rd nuclear test". YonHapNews. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  2. ^ "N.Korea says test used miniaturised nuclear device with greater explosive force". Voice of Russia. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  3. ^ "M5.1 - 23km ENE of Sungjibaegam, North Korea". USGS. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  4. ^ "North Korea Tremor Arouses Suspicion of Nuclear Test". ABC News. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  5. ^ "M4.9 - 24km ENE of Sungjibaegam, North Korea". USGS. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  6. ^ "Seismic activity may indicate North Korea nuclear test". Reuters. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  7. ^ "S. Korea believes N. Korea conducted third nuclear test". USA Today. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  8. ^ "What are the Energy Equivalents of different Earthquake Magnitudes?". Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  9. ^ "【讲武堂】朝鲜核武器迈向实用化 ([Weapons Talk] DPRK Nuclear weapon is moving towards practicability) - Chinese source". Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  10. ^ "Quake triggers doubts about North Korean nuclear test". rediff news. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  11. ^ "N.Korea seismic event shows 'explosion-like characteristics' -CTBTO". Trust.org. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  12. ^ UN chief Ban Ki-Moon condemns North Korea nuclear test http://www.breakingnews.com/item/ahZzfmJyZWFraW5nbmV3cy13d3ctaHJkcg0LEgRTZWVkGNzW-AwM/2013/02/12/un-chief-ban-ki-moon-condemns-north-korea-nuclear-test-says-its-cle 12 February 2013
  13. ^ "'Artificial Earthquake' Suggests North Korea Just Tested a Nuclear Bomb". Atlantic Wire. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  14. ^ "Japan holding security meeting after N.Korea nuclear test report: NHK". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  15. ^  . "N.K. has conducted 3rd nuke test-The Korea Herald". Nwww.koreaherald.com. Retrieved 2013-02-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  16. ^ "Russia 'decisively condemns' nuclear test". itv.com. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  17. ^ "North Korea Confirms Third Nuclear Test". Yahoo News. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  18. ^ "Obama says N. Korea's nuke test 'highly provocative,' vows actions to defend U.S. and allies". yonhapnews.co.kr. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  19. ^ "North Korea Confirms It Conducted 3rd Nuclear Test". New York Times. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
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