N.KOREA CONDUCTS NUCLEAR TEST: Warns of more tests

May 25, 2009

N.KOREA CONDUCTS NUCLEAR TEST

Warns of more tests

		North Korea's Yongbyon nuclear complex near Pyongyang. -- PHOTO: KOREA HERALD

MOSCOW - NORTH Korea could carry out more nuclear tests if the United States continues attempts to intimidate Pyongyang, Itar-Tass news agency quoted an unidentified official in North Korea's embassy in Moscow as saying.

The source said new nuclear tests would take place 'if the United States and its allies continue the policy of intimidation against North Korea', Tass reported.

VIDEO N. Korea holds nuclear test (2:10) S.Korea military forms crisis team after nuke test report SEOUL - SOUTH Korea's military on Monday formed a 'crisis management' team of general-level officers after North Korea announced it had carried out a nuclear test, the defence ministry said. 'Top military officials led by the defence minister are holding an emergency meeting after forming a crisis management team,' a ministry spokesman said. ... more S.Korean markets hit SEOUL - SEOUL stocks fell sharply and the won slipped against the dollar on concerns North Korea's nuclear test early on Monday could sap investor confidence in the South Korean markets and economy. The main Seoul stock market's benchmark KOSPI fell 2.22 per cent by 0326 GMT (1126 Singapore time), although recouping much of its early more than 6 per cent dip. The won was down 1 per cent on the day at 1,259.9 per dollar. ... more

North Korea said it successfully conducted a nuclear test on Monday, a move certain to further isolate the prickly state, which argues it has no choice but to build an atomic arsenal to protect itself in a hostile world.

It also defiantly declared that it carried out a powerful underground nuclear test - a major provocation less than two months after launching a rocket widely believed to be a test of its long-range missile technology.

North Korea, incensed by UN Security Council condemnation of its April 5 rocket launch, had warned last month that it would restart it rogue nuclear programme, conduct an atomic test 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-defence'.

The regime boasted that the test was conducted 'on a new higher level in terms of its explosive power and technology of its control' than one carried out in 2006.

Russia, which shares a short border with North Korea, confirmed its facilities detected a nuclear test in northeastern North Korea, the ITAR-Tass news agency said, citing an unnamed Russian Defense Ministry official.

In Washington, a US counter-proliferation official said there was reason to believe North Korea had conducted a nuclear test. The official spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

Monday's tests raise the stakes in the tense international standoff over North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes.

'If North Korea carried out a nuclear test, it would clearly violate UN Security Council resolutions,' chief government spokesman Takeo Kawamura told reporters in Tokyo. 'We will definitely not tolerate it.'

Japan will request an emergency UN Security Council meeting to discuss North Korea, Vice Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka said, according to the Kyodo news agency. -- AP

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