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North Korea claims nuclear test North Korea claims nuclear test
(about 1 hour later)
North Korea says it has carried out its first test of a nuclear weapon, the state news agency (KCNA) has reported.North Korea says it has carried out its first test of a nuclear weapon, the state news agency (KCNA) has reported.
It said the underground test, carried out in defiance of international warnings, was a success and had not resulted in any leak of radiation.It said the underground test, carried out in defiance of international warnings, was a success and had not resulted in any leak of radiation.
The White House said South Korean and US intelligence had detected a seismic event at a suspected test site.The White House said South Korean and US intelligence had detected a seismic event at a suspected test site.
The White House said, if confirmed, the test would be a "provocative act", while China denounced it as "brazen". The White House said the reported test was a "provocative act", while China denounced it as "brazen".
In its strongest statement ever against its ally, China expressed its "resolute opposition" to the claimed test and said it "defied the universal opposition of international society". In an unusually strong statement against its ally, China expressed its "resolute opposition" to the claimed test and said it "defied the universal opposition of international society".
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the test was "unpardonable". Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who is in Seoul for a meeting with South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, said the test was "unpardonable".
Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso said Japan had detected seismic waves, but could not confirm whether they were from a nuclear test.
We expect the UN Security Council to take immediate actions to respond to this unprovoked act Tony SnowWhite House spokesman Reaction to nuclear test Full text: N Korea statementWe expect the UN Security Council to take immediate actions to respond to this unprovoked act Tony SnowWhite House spokesman Reaction to nuclear test Full text: N Korea statement
South Korea said it would "sternly respond".South Korea said it would "sternly respond".
President Roh Moo-hyun has called an emergency meeting of South Korea's National Security Council and put the armed forces on a heightened state of alert. President Roh has called an emergency meeting of South Korea's National Security Council and put the armed forces on a heightened state of alert.
Seoul also suspended a scheduled aid shipment to North Korea, the state news agency reported.Seoul also suspended a scheduled aid shipment to North Korea, the state news agency reported.
US White House spokesman Tony Snow said: "We expect the UN Security Council to take immediate actions to respond to this unprovoked act."US White House spokesman Tony Snow said: "We expect the UN Security Council to take immediate actions to respond to this unprovoked act."
'Historic event''Historic event'
The US Geological Survey said it had detected a 4.2 magnitude quake in North Korea, while a South Korean official said a 3.5 magnitude seismic tremor had been detected in north Hamgyong province, in the north-east.
KOREAN NUCLEAR CRISIS Sept 2005: At first hailed as a breakthrough, North Korea agrees to give up nuclear activitiesNext day, N Korea says it will not scrap its activities unless it gets a civilian nuclear reactorUS imposes financial sanctions on N Korea businessesJuly 2006: N Korea test-fires seven missilesUN Security Council votes to impose sanctions over the testsOct 2006: N Korea threatens nuclear test Q&A: Nuclear stand-off N Korea nuclear timeline South Korea's Yonhap news agency is reporting that the test took place in Gilju in Hamgyong province at 1036 (0136 GMT).
A top Russian military officer said it was "100%" certain that an underground nuclear explosion had taken place.
When it announced the test, KCNA described it as an "historic event that brought happiness to our military and people".When it announced the test, KCNA described it as an "historic event that brought happiness to our military and people".
"The nuclear test will contribute to maintaining peace and stability in the Korean peninsula and surrounding region," KCNA said."The nuclear test will contribute to maintaining peace and stability in the Korean peninsula and surrounding region," KCNA said.
The region has been on high alert since North Korea announced last week that it would conduct a nuclear test. KOREAN NUCLEAR CRISIS Sept 2005: At first hailed as a breakthrough, North Korea agrees to give up nuclear activitiesNext day, N Korea says it will not scrap its activities unless it gets a civilian nuclear reactorUS imposes financial sanctions on N Korea businessesJuly 2006: N Korea test-fires seven missilesUN Security Council votes to impose sanctions over the testsOct 2006: N Korea threatens nuclear test href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/2340405.stm" class="">Q&A: Nuclear stand-off href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/2604437.stm" class="">N Korea nuclear timeline South Korea's Yonhap news agency reports that the test took place in Gilju in Hamgyong province at 1036 (0136 GMT).
Shinzo Abe is in Seoul for a meeting with Mr Roh, a day after talks in Beijing. The BBC's Jonathan Marcus says North Korea's claimed test does not necessarily mean it has a fully-fledged nuclear bomb or warhead that it can deliver to a target.
Mr Abe said Japan wanted to co-ordinate its response with the South Koreans, and was also in contact with the US and China. But the demonstration of North Korea's capability is what will shake-up the geo-politics of the region, he says.
In Tokyo, ministers were called to an urgent meeting, and the government set up a special task force. Our correspondent says there will now be pressure on the UN Security Council to push for a resolution condemning North Korea and probably demanding a stiff menu of economic sanctions.
The Japanese and South Korean foreign ministers have held a telephone conference call with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to discuss the issue, South Korea's foreign ministry said.
The BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes in Beijing says China's statement is an indication of how strongly it is angered by North Korea's action, although Beijing will still be loathe to support tougher sanctions against Pyongyang.
What is your reaction to North Korea's announcement? Send us your comments.What is your reaction to North Korea's announcement? Send us your comments.
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