Earthquake Signals Second North Korean Nuclear Test

It has been confirmed by the Chosun Central News Agency (KCNA) that North Korea has carried out its threat to conduct a second nuclear test this morning, May 25th. Lee Dong Gwan, a Blue House spokesperson stated in a press briefing that an “artificial earthquake” measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale was felt in South Korea at 9:54am, strongly suggesting the presence of a test at Poongkye-ri in Kilju, North Hamkyung Province, where the first test was also carried out.CNN reported that the U.S. Geological Survey has announced the existence of a “4.7-magnitude earthquake” in North Korea, but did not initially comment on the source of it.Eventually, around midday, the KCNA confirmed the reports, calling the test part of "measures to strengthen its nuclear power in self-defense."North Korea has repeatedly threatened to conduct a second test in recent weeks, mostly in protest at the censure it received after the missile test of April 5th, which Pyongyang maintains was the launch of a satellite for peaceful purposes.The spokesperson also announced that South Korean President Lee Myung Bak has called an emergency meeting of the National Security Council.

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Russia's Defence Ministry on Monday confirmed that North Korea had conducted a subterranean nuclear test. The nuclear explosion had a strength of between 10 and 20 kilotons, Defence Ministry spokesman Alexander Drobyshevsky said, according to the Interfax news agency. The detonation was registered in an area some 80 kilometres north- west of the city of Kilchu. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who was in Lebanon on Monday expressed concern over the developments.

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The following is the full text of the report released by Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency the country's second nuclear weapons test:

"The Democratic People's Republic of Korea successfully conducted one more underground nuclear test on May 25 as part of the measures to bolster up its nuclear deterrent for self-defence in every way as requested by its scientists and technicians. "The current nuclear test was safely conducted on a new higher level in terms of its explosive power and technology of its control and the results of the test helped satisfactorily settle the scientific and technological problems arising in further increasing the power of nuclear weapons and steadily developing nuclear technology. "The successful nuclear test is greatly inspiring the army and people of the DPRK all out in the 150-day campaign, intensifying the drive for effecting a new revolutionary surge to open the gate to a thriving nation. "The test will contribute to defending the sovereignty of the country and the nation and socialism and ensuring peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and the region around it with the might of Songun." US President Barack Obama has said that North Korea's nuclear and missile tests were a "matter of grave concern to all nations" and warranted action by the international community. Mr Obama released a statement after Pyongyang conducted a nuclear test and reportedly fired a short-range missile."North Korea is directly and recklessly challenging the international community. North Korea's behavior increases tensions and undermines stability in northeast Asia," he said.

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Russia confirms North Korea nuclear test: Russia's defence ministry on Monday confirmed that North Korea had carried out an underground nuclear test, news agencies reported. "Monitoring facilities confirmed an underground nuclear explosion, which took place on North Korean territory. This information is being studied and analysed," a ministry official was quoted as saying by Interfax. The ITAR-TASS news agency also quoted a defence ministry official as saying that the North Korean test had been confirmed.

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