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North Korea Conducts Second Nuclear Test; Ignites Tensions In Peninsula, Washington
May 25, 2009 5:27 a.m. EST
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Mayur Pahilajani - AHN News Writer
Seoul, South Korea (AHN) - North Korea carried out its second nuclear test on Monday, despite pressure from the international community for it to dismantle its nuclear weapons. South Korean President Lee Myung-bak called for an emergency security session, denouncing North's move to destabilize the Korean Peninsula.
South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted ruling party official as saying that South Korean president has called for an emergency meeting of cabinet ministers over the test.
This was the second test after the first held in October 2006, but it was more powerful than the previous one according to reports citing a statement by North Korea.
A 4.7-magnitude tremor with a depth of six miles was recorded by the United States Geological Survey at 0054 GMT. The seismic tremor was also confirmed by the South Korean government.
"This nuclear test was safely conducted on a new, higher level in terms of the explosive power and controlling technology and, as a result, scientific and technological problems were resolved that can further increase the power of nuclear weapons and constantly develop nuclear technology," the state-run Korean Central News Agency said in an official statement, according to the Wall Street Journal.
North Korea said that it is trying to protect the "sovereignty of the country and the nation and socialism" with the latest nuclear test and to increase peace and security on the Korean peninsula and neighboring region.
U.S. President Barack Obama said in a statement on Monday that North Korea has conducted a nuclear test that is in violation of international law and the actions by the country constitutes "a threat to international peace and security."
"The nuclear test is a serious threat to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia and a serious challenge to the international regime on nuclear non-proliferation," Yonhap news agency quoted South Korean President Lee Myung-bak as saying in a statement.
Lee added, "The government will work closely with other members of six-party talks, such as the United States, Japan, China and Russia, and the international community to make sure the United Nations Security Council takes proper measures."
Lee's spokesman, Lee Dong-kwan, also said the North appeared to have notified the United States of its planned nuclear test in advance.
The Communist country has already warned that it will abandon all the peace agreements with its southern neighbor, adding that it is confident that it's army has grown to be "invincible."
It claimed that the South Korean government has been responsible for worsening ties between the two nations. Both the countries had accepted truce after 1950-1953 conflict, but have not agreed on a peace treaty.
Last year, North Korea was seeking economic and diplomatic concessions in return for a complete dismantle of its nuclear operations including uranium enrichment in the country.
But later the six-nation talks were stalled when North Korea refused to allow international inspectors to take samples from its Yongbyon nuclear reactor. The U.S. has consistently pressed North Korea to verify its denuclearization activities.
In January, North Korea said that it may retain its nuclear capability and threatened to "shatter" the conservative South Korean government in Seoul, following reports that a U.S. researcher said Pyongyang has "weaponized" plutonium stocks, enough to produce four or five nuclear bombs.
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