Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Seismic activity may indicate North Korea nuclear test

SEOUL (Reuters) - Seismic activity has been detected in North Korea with an earthquake measuring 4.9 magnitude registered by the U.S. Geological Survey, in a move that South Korea said indicated that Pyongyang had carried out a third nuclear test.

The quake occurred at 11:57 a.m Korean time (2:57 a.m. British time) and South Korea's presidential office said that it was "likely" a nuclear test, according to the South's Yonhap news agency

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (R) speaks to media after attending a meeting of Security Council of Japan at his official residence in Tokyo February 12, 2013 after reports of North Korea's possible nuclear test. REUTERS/Issei Kato

North Korea is not prone to seismic activity.

The USGS said the epicentre of the quake, which was only one km deep, was close to the North's known nuclear test site.

The reclusive and isolated state, which is banned under United Nations Security Council resolutions from developing nuclear and missile technology, did not issue a statement and it was impossible to verify that it was a nuclear test.

(Corrects time of seismic activity in second paragraph)

(Reporting by David Chance; Editing by Michael Perry)

U.N. Security Council diplomat says there has been a nuclear test in North Korea

North Korea informed China, U.S. of nuclear test - Yonhap

"Unusual seismic event" in North Korea - atomic test monitoring body

Seismic activity in North Korea may be due to nuclear test - Japan

News

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Seismic activity may indicate North Korea nuclear test