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SEOUL: North Korea on Monday conducted its first ever nuclear test, calling it a “historic event”, official media said.
The North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the test was carried out safely and successfully and there was no radiation leak.
South Korea's defence ministry said the test was carried out at Hwadaeri near Kilju at 10:36 am (0136 GMT).
The presidential office said the state intelligence agency detected a 3.58 magnitude seismic tremor in North Hamgyong Province in the northeast of the communist state.
The test took place around the time Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrived in Seoul for talks on handling the nuclear crisis.
“We detected the explosive sound from Hwadaeri near Kilju in North Hamgyong Province at 10:36 am,” a senior defense ministry official was quoted by Yonhap news agency as saying.
He said South Korea's military has yet to raise its alert level beyond usual defense situations.
“The intelligence was immediately reported to President Roh Moo-hyun,” Roh's spokesman Yoon Tae-young said. “Related countries are in consultation on the issue.”
Roh immediately called an emergency meeting of related ministers to discuss countermeasures.
“The field of scientific research in the DPRK (North Korea) successfully conducted an underground nuclear test under secure conditions on October 9…” KCNA said.
“It has been confirmed that there was no such danger of radioactive emission in the course of the nuclear test as it was carried out under scientific consideration and careful calculation.
“The nuclear test was conducted with indigenous wisdom and technology, 100 percent.
“It marks a historic event as it greatly encouraged and pleased the KPA (North Korean army) and people that have wished to have powerful self-reliant defence capability.
“It will contribute to defending the peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the area around it.”
