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N Korea 'nuclear test' condemned N Korea 'nuclear test' condemned
(about 2 hours later)
The UN Security Council has strongly condemned North Korea's claim to have tested a nuclear weapon underground. The UN Security Council has strongly condemned North Korea's claim to have tested a nuclear weapon.
The council is also considering its next steps, including sanctions that could be enforceable by military means. The council is now considering its next steps, including sanctions that could be enforceable by military means.
The US has proposed a draft resolution which included powers to inspect cargo and close air and sea ports to North Korean ships and planes. The US has proposed a draft resolution which includes powers to inspect cargo and close air and sea ports to North Korean ships and planes.
President George W Bush said the US was working to confirm the test claim, branding it a "provocative" act.President George W Bush said the US was working to confirm the test claim, branding it a "provocative" act.
He said he and regional leaders agreed North Korea's actions were unacceptable and deserved an immediate UN response.He said he and regional leaders agreed North Korea's actions were unacceptable and deserved an immediate UN response.
Current Security Council President Kenzo Oshima of Japan urged North Korea to refrain from further testing and return to six-party talks. Current Security Council President Kenzo Oshima, of Japan, urged North Korea to refrain from further testing and return to six-party talks.
The session comes three days after the council agreed a formal statement urging North Korea to cancel any planned nuclear test.
The nuclear test... marks a historic event... It will contribute to defending peace and stability North Korean statement Underground nuclear testing N Korea's home-made bomb Arms race fearsThe nuclear test... marks a historic event... It will contribute to defending peace and stability North Korean statement Underground nuclear testing N Korea's home-made bomb Arms race fears
The Americans have circulated a 13-point draft resolution seeking targeted sanctions. They include: The Americans have circulated a 13-point draft resolution seeking targeted sanctions. The proposals include:
  • Halting trade in material that could be used to make weapons of mass destruction
  • Halting trade in material that could be used to make weapons of mass destruction
  • Inspections of cargo going in and out of North Korea
  • Inspections of cargo going in and out of North Korea
  • The ending of financial transactions used to support nuclear proliferation
  • The ending of financial transactions used to support nuclear proliferation
  • A ban on the import of luxury goods
  • A ban on the import of luxury goods
    • The US also wants to see the sanctions brought under Chapter Seven of the UN Charter, which means they would be mandatory and ultimately enforceable by military means.The US also wants to see the sanctions brought under Chapter Seven of the UN Charter, which means they would be mandatory and ultimately enforceable by military means.
    UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett also said the UK would be "pushing for a robust response" under Chapter Seven. UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett also said London would be "pushing for a robust response" under Chapter Seven.
    HAVE YOUR SAY What is the world coming to? Mankind should be so much more civilized than this Jessica Cogswell, USA Send us your comments However, the Russians and Chinese - who have trade links with North Korea - have been reluctant to go down that path, says the BBC's Laura Trevelyan at the UN in New York.HAVE YOUR SAY What is the world coming to? Mankind should be so much more civilized than this Jessica Cogswell, USA Send us your comments However, the Russians and Chinese - who have trade links with North Korea - have been reluctant to go down that path, says the BBC's Laura Trevelyan at the UN in New York.
    US ambassador to the UN John Bolton said "even a claim of such a test clearly constitutes a threat to international peace and security". US ambassador to the UN John Bolton told the BBC: "If the Security Council of the United Nations can't deal with a threat like that then we have to ask what role it could have in dealing with weapons of mass destruction around the world.
    He told BBC News 24: "If the Security Council of the United Nations can't deal with a threat like that then we have to ask what role it could have in dealing with weapons of mass destruction around the world.
    "So, I think the mood here is pretty strong - to be sure the specifics have to be worked out - but in terms of the early reaction, I think it's very favourable to a very strong council resolution."
    But North Korea's ambassador, Pak Gil Yon, said the Security Council should congratulate Pyongyang instead of issuing "useless" resolutions.But North Korea's ambassador, Pak Gil Yon, said the Security Council should congratulate Pyongyang instead of issuing "useless" resolutions.
    'Unpardonable''Unpardonable'
    In his first public statement, the US president said the North Korean claim "constitutes a threat to international peace and security." In his first public statement since the reported test, US President Bush said the North Korean claim "constitutes a threat to international peace and security."
    Mr Bush said he had telephoned Chinese, Japanese, Russian and South Korean leaders, who had all reaffirmed their commitment to a nuclear-free Korean peninsula.Mr Bush said he had telephoned Chinese, Japanese, Russian and South Korean leaders, who had all reaffirmed their commitment to a nuclear-free Korean peninsula.
    "Once again, North Korea has defied the will of the international community, and the international community will respond," he said."Once again, North Korea has defied the will of the international community, and the international community will respond," he said.
    N KOREA NUCLEAR PROGRAMME Believed to have 'handful' of nuclear weaponsBut not thought to have any small enough to put in a missileCould try dropping from plane, though world watching closely N Korea's mercurial leader Reaction to nuclear testN KOREA NUCLEAR PROGRAMME Believed to have 'handful' of nuclear weaponsBut not thought to have any small enough to put in a missileCould try dropping from plane, though world watching closely N Korea's mercurial leader Reaction to nuclear test
    "The North Korea regime remains one of the world's leading proliferators of missile technology, including transfers to Iran and Syria.""The North Korea regime remains one of the world's leading proliferators of missile technology, including transfers to Iran and Syria."
    Mr Bush added that the development would not help North Korea's "oppressed and impoverished" people, who deserved a better future.Mr Bush added that the development would not help North Korea's "oppressed and impoverished" people, who deserved a better future.
    Earlier Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe - visiting Seoul - called the claimed test "unpardonable". Earlier Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe - during a visit to Seoul - called the claimed test "unpardonable".
    He warned the region was "entering a new, dangerous nuclear age".He warned the region was "entering a new, dangerous nuclear age".
    South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun feared the move could "spark a nuclear arms build-up in other countries".South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun feared the move could "spark a nuclear arms build-up in other countries".
    In an unusually strong statement against its ally, China said the claimed test "defied the universal opposition of international society". In an unusually strong statement, China - the closest the isolated North has to an ally - said the claimed test "defied the universal opposition of international society".
    Meanwhile, the head of the South's intelligence service said it had detected more movement at another North Korean test site and he could not rule out further nuclear tests.Meanwhile, the head of the South's intelligence service said it had detected more movement at another North Korean test site and he could not rule out further nuclear tests.
    'No radiation leak''No radiation leak'
    South Korean media said the test took place in Gilju in Hamgyong province at 1036 (0136 GMT).South Korean media said the test took place in Gilju in Hamgyong province at 1036 (0136 GMT).
    The size of the bomb is uncertain, with estimates varying from 550 tons of destructive power to as much as 15 kilotons. The 1945 Hiroshima bomb was 12.5-15 kilotons.The size of the bomb is uncertain, with estimates varying from 550 tons of destructive power to as much as 15 kilotons. The 1945 Hiroshima bomb was 12.5-15 kilotons.
    The French Atomic Energy Commission says the blast measured about one kiloton or less and could have been the result of a failed nuclear test. Correspondents say the claimed test does not necessarily mean North Korea has a fully-fledged nuclear bomb, or a warhead that it can deliver to a target.
    Correspondents say the claimed test does not necessarily mean North Korea has a fully-fledged nuclear bomb or warhead that it can deliver to a target.
    North Korea's KCNA news agency described the test as an "historic event that brought happiness to our military and people".North Korea's KCNA news agency described the test as an "historic event that brought happiness to our military and people".
    It said the test would maintain "peace and stability" in the region and was "a great leap forward in the building of a great prosperous, powerful socialist nation". There was no radiation leak, it said. It said the test as a success and was "a great leap forward in the building of a great prosperous, powerful socialist nation".
    Pyongyang pulled out of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 2003 and has refused for a year to attend talks aimed at ending its nuclear ambitions.Pyongyang pulled out of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 2003 and has refused for a year to attend talks aimed at ending its nuclear ambitions.