SEOUL, Oct. 9 (Yonhap)–Today at 10:30 in the morning, North Korean official media stated that the country successfully conducted its first nuclear test .
Korean Central News Agency announced that “our (North Korean) science research part safely and successfully conducted an underground nuclear test on October 9, 2006,’ and confirmed ‘no radioactivity outflow at all.”
The agency emphasized that the test being ‘carried out by (North) Korea’s own knowledge and technology’ and ‘a historical event that raised the morale of Korean people and army.’ And ‘the test will contribute to Northeast Asia’s peace and security,’ KCNA added.
South Korea’s presidential official said the country’s state intelligence agency detected a 3.58 magnitude seismic tremor in the North’s remote area of North Hamgyeong Province at around 10 a.m.
“The intelligence was immediately reported to President Roh Moo-hyun,” Roh’s spokesman Yoon Tae-young said. “Related countries are in consulation on the issue.” Roh immediately called an emergency meeting of related ministers to discuss countermeasures.
“The meeting will be changed into a National Security Council meeting if the North’s nuclear test is finally confirmed,” he added.
The U.N. Security Council is expected to deal sternly with the North’s nuclear test, if it is confirmed to have taken place.
Last week, the council issued a chairman’s statement in response to Pyongyang’s public threat on Oct. 3 that it would push for a nuclear test due to Washington’s hostile policy.
“Should North Korea ignore calls of the international community, the Security Council will act consistent with its responsiblity under the Charter of the United Nations,” said Japan’s U.N. envoy Kenzo Oshima, who chairs the council this month.
The U.N. Security Council will likely convene soon to decide a level of punishment, including the adoption of a tough resolution that may refer to Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter. The chapter allows the international community to use military force.
When North Korea test-launched seven missiles in July, the council adopted a resolution that excluded the controversial chapter because China and Russia, the North’s time-honored allies, opposed its inclusion.
