South Korea’s military said North Korea may have conducted the “most powerful” nuclear test so far on Friday after an artificial quake was detected at a site where its fourth nuclear test was carried out earlier this year.
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Quake and Volcano of the Korea Monitoring Division Director Ryoo Yong-gyu speaks in front of a screen showing seismic waves that were measured in South Korea, in Seoul Friday, Sept. 9, 2016.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has overseen a robust increase in the number and kinds of missiles tested this year.
The US President, Barack Obama, warned of “serious consequences” and called the leaders of South Korea and Japan to reiterate the “unbreakable” American commitment to stability in the region.
Public broadcaster NHK reported Japan’s defence ministry was preparing to dispatch aircraft to analyse air samples to see if any radiation could be detected.
Tension has been high since North Korea’s fourth nuclear test in January and a controversial rocket launch in February, events which led the United Nations Security Council to tighten sanctions on the isolated nation.
“The only thing the Kim Jong Un regime will get from this nuclear test will be more intensified sanctions from the worldwide community and deeper isolation”, Mr Park said. “We are monitoring and continuing to assess the situation in close coordination with our regional partners”.
President Park Geun-hye who is on her overseas trip to Laos, condemned the apparent test, saying that its provocation would only invite stronger global sanctions, deeper isolation and hasten its self-destruction.
According to South Korean experts, the “test was the biggest yet” carried out by North Korea.
Aug 24, 2016: North Korea successfully launches a ballistic missile from a submarine. KCTV went on to say that the nuclear test was a response to sanctions led by the US and its allies…. and that Pyongyang will continue to develop its nuclear weapons as a means of self-defense.
“Possible explosion, located near the location where North Korea has detonated nuclear explosions in the past”, the USGS said on its website.
North Korea has also performed a series of unsuccessful missile tests in recent months which are part of its push for a nuclear-armed missile that could one day reach the American mainland.
“Also, the test was staged right after the G20 summit was held in its neighbour China. I think it was also aimed at maximizing shock to the worldwide community”, he said.
“So North Korea can now show off their nuclear capability proudly”, Suh said. Some analysts said the country needed only a couple of more test explosions before acquiring such a warhead.
Initial analysis of North Korea’s January test estimated a yield of just 6 kiloton.
Some Korean observers say that because Kim Jong Un’s regime seeks to derive its legitimacy by being a full-fledged nuclear state, no amount of financial squeeze will stop him.
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He praised the country’s scientists for “creating milestone miracles with the magnificent and exhilarating sound of the first H-bomb of our republic”.
