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North Korean nuclear test
Near Kilchu
Graphic from the United States Geological Survey showing the location of seismic activity at the time of the test
Coordinates41°18′22″N 129°01′44″E / 41.306°N 129.029°E / 41.306; 129.029
TypeNuclear test site
Site information
OperatorNorth Korea
StatusUnknown
Site history
In use25 May 2009

The 2009 North Korean nuclear test was the underground detonation of a nuclear device conducted on 25 May 2009 by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. This was its second nuclear test, the first test having taken place in October 2006. The country also conducted six short-range surface-to-air missile tests.

Background

North Korea had threatened to conduct a second test in protest after the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution condemning the country after it launched a rocket, which it claimed was carrying the Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2 satellite, on 5 April 2009. The launch was condemned by several nations, describing it as an intercontinental ballistic missile test.

The test also comes after recent messages that North Korea has miniaturized nuclear warheads for medium-range missiles and that the country has been recognized by analysts as a fully-fledged nuclear power.

The state-run Korean Central News Agency released an announcement claiming, in part, that:

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.

This has been interpreted as referring to the disputes over the low yield of the 2006 test.

Advance notification

The DPRK notified both Washington, D.C. and Beijing of its nuclear test about an hour before the actual detonation, which took place at 9 p.m. EDT Sunday/0100 GMT Monday; Tokyo was not given notification.

Seismic activity

South Korea and Japan reported seismic activity at 09:50 KST (00:50 UTC). The United States Geological Survey reported a 4.7 magnitude earthquake at a depth of zero and put the center of the tremor about 70 kilometres (43 mi) northwest of Kimchaek and 375 kilometres (233 mi) northeast of the capital of Pyongyang, within a few kilometres of the country's 2006 nuclear test. The Japan Meteorological Agency measured the seismic activity at magnitude 5.3. The Korea Institute of Geoscience & Mineral Resources reported seismic activity in the same area but far stronger than in 2006. The test was allegedly conducted from 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) underground, probably making it the deepest nuclear test made to date.

The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed it had detected a nuclear detonation in North Korea and was analysing the data to determine the yield.

In China, tremors were felt in the prefecture of Yanbian, which borders North Korea, and forced students in some local schools to be evacuated.

Yield

The size of North Korea's second nuclear test has not yet been confirmed although general agreement is the nuclear test was successful despite the uncertainty around its yield. Based on 23 seismic readings, the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization estimates a blast wave of 4.52. This compares to 4.1, equivalent to 800 tons of TNT, for the 2006 test. An anonymous U.S. military source estimates the blast at 1.5 kilotons.

The Information Telegraph Agency of Russia (ITAR-TASS) quoted an unnamed Russian Defence Ministry official as saying the test had a yield of 10 to 20 kilotons. This is approximately the yield of the Fat Man and Trinity bombs developed by the United States during World War II. It has been noted that the source of the Russian estimate is unknown and that in 2006 the Russians estimated a far higher yield of 5 to 10 kilotons when other sources estimated a yield of 0.5 to 0.9 kilotons. Defense Minister Lee Sang-Hee of South Korea said that more data were needed but that the yield might be between 1 to 20 kilotons.

Analyst Martin Kalinowski at the University of Hamburg estimates the yield at being from 3 to 8 kilotons, still a very successful test when compared with the 2006 test. Kalinowski mentions in conclusion that the test was "still short of the explosion energy released by the Hiroshima (Little Boy, 15 kt TNT yield) and Nagasaki (Fat Man, 21 kt TNT yield) bombs." Hans M. Kristensen of the Federation of American Scientists has cautioned that more analysis will be needed before the yield is known, and that "early news media reports about a 'Hiroshima-size' nuclear explosion seem to be overblown." The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists asserts that the blast was more powerful than the 2006 test, but puts the yield between 2 to 6 kilotons, far short of an Hiroshima-type device. The article concludes that the bomb failed to detonate correctly, but that still in that case the potential of this weapon cannot be dismissed.

Missile tests

On the same day, North Korea also conducted six short-range surface-to-air missile tests. The first missile had a range of 130 kilometres (81 mi), most probably a long-range S-200 SAM. The South Korean news agency Yonhap cited military officials as saying that the launches seemed to be aimed at keeping U.S. and Japanese surveillance planes away from the site.

International reaction

North Korea and weapons
of mass destruction
North Korea and weapons of mass destruction
North Korea and weapons of mass destruction
Events
See also

International organisations

  • CTBTO:The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization's (CTBTO) International Monitoring System immediately detected the North Korean Nuclear test with 38 of its seismic stations throughout the world. Within 24 hours of this detection, CTBTO Executive Secretary Tibor Toth gave briefings to both representatives from member states as well as the press on the CTBTO findings.
  •  European Union: The EU's foreign policy chief Javier Solana condemned the test. "These irresponsible acts by North Korea warrant a firm response by the international community. The European Union will be in contact with its partners to discuss appropriate measures," he said in a written statement.
  •  United Nations: The Security Council unanimously condemned the test and was quoted as saying that "The members of the Security Council voiced their strong opposition to and condemnation of the nuclear test conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on 25 May 2009, which constitutes a clear violation of resolution 1718" and that council members "have decided to start work immediately on a Security Council resolution on this matter".
  • Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe: OSCE chairwoman-in-Office and Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis condemned North Korea's claimed nuclear test, identifying it as a threat to stability in the region. "I strongly condemn North Korea's declared nuclear test. I am deeply concerned by this threat to regional and global stability," Bakoyannis added in Athens. "Rather than enhancing its nuclear capabilities, North Korea should return immediately to the six-party talks and avoid any actions that would further heighten tensions."
  • NATO: "These irresponsible actions by Pyongyang pose a serious challenge to peace, security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and are being universally condemned by the international community," NATO said in a statement. "We call upon Pyongyang to refrain from any other actions which could contribute to raising tensions and to restore dialogue within the Six-Party framework. The Alliance will continue to carefully monitor developments with deep concern."

Members of the six-party talks

See also: Six-party talks
  •  North Korea: The North Korean news agency KCNA confirmed the test and called it "successful". The agency also said the test was "aimed at strengthening its self-defense nuclear deterrent in every way".
  •  South Korea: President Lee Myung-bak called an emergency cabinet meeting. The decision was made to join the Proliferation Security Initiative, a move which the North has repeatedly warned would be construed as a declaration of war. The ROK-US Combined Forces Command raises its reconnaissance/warning system watch condition from WATCHCON3 (important indications of threat) to WATCHCON2 (vital indications of threat).
  •  Japan: Japan said the test was "unacceptable" and a violation of UN Security Council resolutions. It was also considering tightening sanctions in response.
  •  China: The Foreign Ministry released a statement: "The DPRK ignored universal opposition of the international community and once more conducted the nuclear test. The Chinese government is resolutely opposed to it". The statement also strongly demanded that North Korea "return to the tracks of the six-party talks".
  •  Russia: The Foreign Ministry stated that "The latest steps of the DPRK escalate tensions in Northeast Asia and endanger regional security and stability" and violated UN Security Council Resolution 1718, but added that "We still think that the nuclear problem of the Korean Peninsula may be resolved only at the six-nation negotiations". The Presidential spokewoman Nataliya Timakova said Russia “is seriously concerned” about North Korea’s nuclear test and that “Russian competent services express regret and voice serious concern about North Korea’s nuclear test in the area adjacent to the Russian Federation”.
  •  United States: The White House condemned the test, saying "North Korea is directly and recklessly challenging the international community. The danger posed by North Korea's threatening activities warrants action by the international community." President Obama's official statement promised "international acceptance" if North Korea complied. President Barack Obama also said that the country's actions "pose a grave threat to the peace and stability of the world". Susan Rice, US ambassador to the UN, added that, "North Korea needs to understand that its actions have consequences" and that they would "pay a price for their action," in the form of further sanctions.

Security Council permanent members

Note: The members not listed here (China, Russia, and the United States) are members of the six-party talks and thus are covered above.
  •  France: French Foreign Ministry spokesman Eric Chevallier said France "strongly condemns" the missile test and urges North Korea "to abstain from any new provocation".
  •  United Kingdom: UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "I condemn North Korea's nuclear test in the strongest terms. This act will undermine prospects for peace on the Korean peninsula and will do nothing for North Korea's security. The international community will treat North Korea as a partner if it behaves responsibly. If it does not then it can expect only renewed isolation."

Other countries

  •  Argentina: The Ministry for Foreign Affairs, headed by foreign minister Jorge Taiana, condemned the test, saying "North Korea has disregarded calls of the international community, carrying out new launches of ballistic missiles", and urged "North Korea to resume dialogue and negotiations, primarily through the process known as the six-party talks, ... as the legitimate method to express its aspirations and expectations in terms of security".
  •  Australia: Australia offered "absolute condemnation".
  •  Brazil: The Ministry of External Relations issued a statement saying it hoped that North Korea would "rejoin, as soon as possible and as a non-nuclear-armed state, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons" and return to negotiations aimed at denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.
  •  Bulgaria: Bulgarian Foreign Ministry has condemned the test, stating: "We express deep concern about the conducted nuclear test of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on May 25, 2009. The test is in violation of Resolution 1718 of the United Nations Security Council and we call for the country to unconditionally and immediately return to the Six-party talks."
  •  Canada: Prime Minister Stephen Harper condemned the test, saying "North Korea's aggressive weapons programs represent a grave threat to international security, and are specifically troubling for stability in Northeast Asia."
  •  Colombia: Colombian government condemned the test saying: "Colombia strongly condemns the subterranian nuclear test done by North Korea (...)"
  •  Germany: Germany condemned the test.
  •  Iceland: Össur Skarphéðinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs, "strongly condemns North Korea’s nuclear test."
  •  India: India described the nuclear test by North Korea as a matter of serious concern for the entire world and said that India is "against" nuclear proliferation.
  •  Indonesia: Indonesia deplored the test, saying it would "create new tensions in the region, especially in East Asia".
  •  Iran: Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi said the test was an "internal affair" of North Korea.
  •  Israel: A statement released by the Foreign Ministry said it viewed the test with "extreme gravity" that had "negative ramifications for our region". It called on the international community to "act with determination" to send a message to other countries.
  •  Kenya: "Our position is that the ouncil's reaction has to be cautious and proportionate"
  •  Malaysia: Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said he was "concerned that North Korea's display of nuclear capability will further heighten the tension in the Korean peninsula and affect the whole East Asian region," and hoped that the issue would be resolved through six-party talks as well as by the UN Security Council.
  •  Mexico: A press release issued by the Foreign Ministry said: "Mexico vigorously condemns the nuclear test on May 25 and the launching of three short-range missiles confirmed by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. These actions violate international law and the goals of disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation. They also exacerbate the tensions on the Korean peninsula and put the region’s stability at risk." .
  •  Poland: “The nuclear test constitutes a violation of Security Council resolution 1718 and will have negative impact on the security situation in the Korean Peninsula and the region of North-East Asia"Cite error: The <ref> tag has too many names (see the help page).
  •  New Zealand: New Zealand expressed worries about the test.
  •  Norway: The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs published a press release saying that "Norway strongly condemns the North Korean nuclear test" and continues to state that the test is in clear conflict with the goal of reaching a political solution to the North Korean nuclear weapons programme. The press release stated that Norwegian humanitarian and medical aid to North Korea will continue, but stressed that this is not a long-term commitment.
  •  South Africa: South Africa said the test was "unacceptable", warning that nuclear weapons do not create security but are a "threat to humanity".
  •  Sweden: Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt issued a statement saying "It is alarming that the North Korean regime continues to provoke the international community."
  •  Turkey: A statement from the Foreign Ministry condemned the incident, saying "this represents an act far from fulfilling the expectations of the international community striving for peace and stability to prevail in the region."

Economic impact

News of the tests immediately affected South Korean markets, sending the main KOSPI share index down 4%, while the won dropped by 1% against the U.S. dollar on the day of the nuclear test, 25 May. The yen fell from the near highest level in more than two months against the dollar.

Aftermath

On May 28, North Korea threatened to end the Korean War armistice. As a result, the military of South Korea and the United States are on high alert. South Korea has raised the military alert level from Level 3 to Level 2.

See also

References

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  6. Richard Lloyd Parry (2009-05-24). "North Korea is fully fledged nuclear power, experts agree". Times Online. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
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  22. Jungmin Kang (2006-10-20). "Technical Analysis of the DPRK Nuclear Test". Retrieved 2009-05-26. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
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  25. See SAM systems table at KPAF#Air Defense
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  27. http://www.ctbto.org/press-centre/press-releases/2009/ctbtos-initial-findings-on-the-dprks-2009-announced-nuclear-test/. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  28. ^ North Korea's second nuclear test stirs outrage. CNN. 25 May 2009. Accessed 25 May 2009.
  29. "U.N. Security Council condemns North Korea nuclear test". Reuters. 2009-05-25. Retrieved 2009-05-26.
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  33. "S. Korea to Join US-Led Anti-Proliferation Drill". The Korea Times. 2009-5-26. Retrieved 2009-05-27. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  34. http://www.ieas.or.kr/vol11_4/yoontaeyoung.htm
  35. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8071175.stm
  36. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/oplan-5027-2.htm
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  38. "Chinese gov't "resolutely opposes" DPRK's nuclear test". Xinhua. 2009-05-25. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  39. "FM: Russia urges DPRK to demonstrate responsibility". People's Daily Online. 2009-05-25. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  40. Itar TASS-RF seriously concerned about N Korea’s nuke test.
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  46. ^ Cowell, Alan.Governments Urge Security Council Action. NYT. 25 May 2009. Accessed 25 May 2009.
  47. "China, Rússia e EUA condenam teste nuclear norte-coreano" (in Portuguese). O Globo. 2009-05-25. Retrieved 2009-05-25. No Brasil, o Itamaraty divulgou uma nota em que diz que espera que a Coreia do Norte "se reintegre, o mais rapidamente possível e como país não nuclearmente armado, ao Tratamento de Não-Proliferação de Armas Nucleares". O Ministério das Relações Exteriores também diz que espera que o país volte às negociações visando à desnuclearização da Península Coreana. {{cite news}}: line feed character in |quote= at position 220 (help)
  48. Official statement
  49. World must 'stand up to' North Korea following nuclear test: Obama
  50. Colombia condemns N-Korea nuclear tests
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