North Korea: Tremor Detected In Sign Of Possible Nuclear Test
US seismologists said the 6.3 magnitude quake in the north-east of the country was a “possible explosion”.
It is in the area where the North has conducted previous nuclear tests.
The tremor comes hours after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was pictured with what state media said was a new type of hydrogen bomb.
State media said the device could be loaded on to a ballistic missile. Neither claim could be independently verified.
South Korea officials said the quake took place in Kilju County, where the North’s Punggye-ri nuclear test site is situated.
Reaction among North Korea’s neighbours was swift. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said another nuclear test would be “absolutely unacceptable”.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in convened an emergency meeting of his national security council. The joint chiefs of staff later said the North was “presumed” to have conducted a nuclear test.
China’s Earthquake Administration described the tremor as a “suspected explosion”. It said it had detected a second tremor, just after the first, of 4.6 magnitude which it termed as “a collapse”.
Initial reports from the US Geological Survey put the tremor at 5.6 magnitude with a depth of 10km (six miles) but this was later upgraded to 6.3 magnitude at 0km. If confirmed, it will be the North’s most powerful nuclear test to date.
North Korea carried out its last nuclear test in September 2016. It has defied UN sanctions and international pressure to develop nuclear weapons and to test missiles which could potentially reach the mainland US.
