This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6056370.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
US confirms N Korea nuclear test US confirms N Korea nuclear test
(30 minutes later)
Air samples from North Korea confirm that a nuclear explosion was carried out a week ago, US intelligence officials say.Air samples from North Korea confirm that a nuclear explosion was carried out a week ago, US intelligence officials say.
Director of National Intelligence John Negroponte said the findings came after analysis of radioactive debris detected at the site of the test.Director of National Intelligence John Negroponte said the findings came after analysis of radioactive debris detected at the site of the test.
"The explosion yield was less than a kiloton," his statement said. This the first official US confirmation that a nuclear detonation took place.
The UN Security Council has unanimously voted to impose sanctions against Pyongyang in response to the test.The UN Security Council has unanimously voted to impose sanctions against Pyongyang in response to the test.
The sanctions, agreed on Saturday after lengthy negotiations, target Pyongyang's weapons and missile programmes, as well as luxury goods. A US military aircraft collected air samples on 11 October, two days after Pyongyang made its announcement of a successful test.
The air samples were collected by a military aircraft on 11 October, two days after Pyongyang announced it had successfully carried out a test. "Analysis of air samples collected on 11 October 2006 detected radioactive debris which confirms that North Korea conducted an underground nuclear explosion in the vicinity of P'unggye on 9 October 2006," Office of US Director of National Intelligence
The size of the explosion - less than a 10th of the size of the bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945 - had led to doubts over the veracity of the claim. The apparently small size of the explosion had led to doubts over the veracity of North Korea's claim.
But the short statement from Mr Negroponte's office confirmed that a nuclear explosion with a yield of "less than a kiloton" took place.
This is less than a tenth of the size of the bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945.
The announcement comes as key nations try to agree on how to implement the sanctions agreed by the Security Council on Saturday.
The measures target Pyongyang's weapons and missile programmes, as well as luxury goods.
They also permit cargo coming from or going to North Korea to be inspected for banned items.
But disagreements have emerged between the members of the Security Council over this part of the resolution, with China concerned that cargo inspections could further elevate tensions.