Magnitude 4.7 - NORTH KOREA [Update - underground nuclear test]

UPDATE:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jntKjLG2Y9N0a8MuIY8O__cOnWbQ

“NKorea confirms ‘powerful’ nuclear test”
1 hour ago

SNIPPET: “SEOUL (AFP) — North Korea said it staged a “successful” underground nuclear weapons test which was more powerful than its previous test of an atomic bomb almost three years ago.

The North “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 Korean Central News Agency said.

“The current nuclear test was safely conducted on a new higher level in terms of its explosive power and technology of its control,” it said.

The results resolved “scientific and technological problems arising in further increasing the power of nuclear weapons and steadily developing nuclear technology.””

“Maybe Obama can give the North Korean dictator an I-Pod or something in the hope this will pacify him.”

Maddie Albright could be asked to help:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WchSVugLf4Y

Thanks for the ping to the seismo data!

Located at http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2257598/posts?page=227#227 is a seismogram I posted earlier. It is from Inchon, SK, and is from an instrument with lower gain and at a different bandwidth. It shows the blast as an isolated impulse.

Also, you might appreciate the satelllite imagery analysis I posted at http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2257598/posts?page=254#254, which shows a likely candidate site for the test very near the coordinates indicated by seismometry.

Note: Video included.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3720901,00.html

“Israel calls for ‘strong action’ over N. Korea nuclear test”

Roni Sofer and agencies
Latest Update: 05.25.09, 17:52 / Israel News

SNIPPET: “Seismologists from the US, South Korea and Japan reported activity shortly after 9:50 a.m. in a northeastern area where North Korea conducted its first nuclear test in 2006.

The Japan Meteorological Agency measured the seismic activity at magnitude-5.3. Quake expert Gen Aoki noted that its depth was “very shallow.”

“The area is not active seismically so it is highly possible that it could be an artificial quake,” Aoki said in Tokyo.

In Seoul, the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources reported seismic activity in Kilju in North Hamgyong Province - the same area where North Korea carried out a nuclear test in October 2006.

Seismological measurements back North Korea’s claim that the test was far stronger than in 2006.

At the Chinese border city of Yanji, 130 miles (200 kilometers) northwest from the test site, an emergency siren sounded shortly before 9 a.m. when officials thought an earthquake occurred. A receptionist at Yanji’s International Hotel said she and several hotel guests felt the ground tremble.

An official at Yanji’s government seismological bureau, who declined to give his name, said his agency confirmed that some type of explosion occurred, “but it is hard to say what kind of blast it was.”

North Korea’s 2006 test measured magnitude-3.6, an official at the Korea Meteorological Administration in Seoul said. He spoke on condition of anonymity, citing department policy.”

Thank you Godzilla for posting that graph here.

In a quick perusal of this and other threads on this incident I’ve been struck by the absence of comment or speculation about what seems to me to be an obvious possibility: North Korea and Iran may be working together as a team, pooling their technical expertise to accelerate Iran’s acquisition of deliverable nuclear warheads.

We already know there is a significant Iranian presence of “observers” in NK, such as in last month’s missile tests. Their mutual interests are complementary. This in no way means that Iran need diminish its domestic development programs, but it also doesn’t preclude Iran pursuing a parallel option through NK. As has been noted, some of the NK technology may offer certain advantages over what they acquired from Pakistani and other sources.

They aren’t stupid, and fully realize that Israel is being backed into a corner, and so may have concluded that time is short and that any and all options which might speed things up are worth it. Expressed more succinctly, the possibilities are:

1. Iran is heavily albeit covertly involved jointly with NK in these tests and developments, thus when NK has the bomb, so does Iran.

2. NK is doing this alone but needs cash and is developing these weapons for sale to the highest bidder. They just gave a successful demonstration for their best prospective client, Iran, thus Iran will soon have the bomb, sooner than they would have under their domestic program.

“... North Korea and Iran...”

#

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Blog:

Note: The following blog entry is a quote:

http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/16525.htm

N. Korea Ambassador In Iran Warns Against U.S.

North Korean Ambassador to Iran So Se Pyong said, during a meeting with Iranian presidential advisor Mahdi Mostafavi, that the U.S. seeks to topple the regimes of Iran and North Korea, and stressed his country’s support for Iran’s nuclear program.

Source: Mehr, Iran, May 18, 2009

Posted at: 2009-05-20

###

ON THE INTERNET:

http://www.truthusa.com/IRAN.html

Thanks for the info!

Interestingly the revised coordinates (41.285°N, 129.004°E) in Cindy's updated seismo data place the event only 1.5 klicks from the candidate site I posted at http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2257598/posts?page=254#254 earlier this morning.

Furthermore, the new coordinates are south of the candidate site -- neatly bracketing it and on a N-S line passing through all three points.

I think I nailed it!

Here's the revised satellite image -- showing the probable test site location.

You’re most welcome tarheeswamprat.

Well now, that’s a very nice BIG PICTURE.

I appreciate your efforts TXnMA.

QUOTE:

http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=3880

New York, 25 May 2009 - Statement Attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on the Democratic People’’s Republic of Korea

The Secretary-General strongly deplores the conduct of an underground nuclear test by the Democratic People’’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), in clear and grave violation of the relevant Security Council resolutions.

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned that this act will negatively affect regional peace and stability as well as the global nuclear non-proliferation regime.

The Secretary-General reiterates his conviction that differences should be resolved in a peaceful manner through dialogue. He urges the DPRK to refrain from taking further actions that would increase tensions in the region. He also insists that the DPRK comply with its obligations in full and restart dialogue with the parties concerned without delay, including the early resumption of the Six-Party Talks.

The Secretary-General trusts that the Security Council will take up this matter to send out a strong and unified message, conducive to achieving the goal of de-nuclearization of the Korean peninsula and peace and security in the region. He will remain in close consultation with all concerned, ready to assist in any way possible.

QUOTE:

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=30906&Cr=DPRK&Cr1=

Ban deplores DPR Korea’s underground nuclear test

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

25 May 2009 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon strongly deplored the conduct of an underground nuclear test by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), in “clear and grave” violation of resolutions of the United Nations Security Council which is set to hold emergency talks on the matter today.

“The Secretary-General is deeply concerned that this act will negatively affect regional peace and stability as well as the global nuclear non-proliferation regime,” his spokesperson said in a statement.

Mr. Ban “trusts that the Security Council will take up this matter to send out a strong and unified message, conducive to achieving the goal of de-nuclearization of the Korean peninsula and peace and security in the region,” the statement added.

Discussions in the Council are scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. and will be chaired by Russia, which holds the rotating presidency of the 15-member body for the month of May.

Following DPRK’s claims to have conducted a nuclear test in October 2006, the Council had demanded that it “not conduct any further nuclear test or launch of a ballistic missile” and imposed sanctions against the country.

Most recently, both Mr. Ban and the Council spoke out after the East Asian nation, against strong international appeals, carried out rocket launches.

They also called for the early resumption of the Six-Party Talks, involving DPRK, Republic of Korea, Japan, China, Russia and the United States.

In today’s statement, Mr. Ban urged DPRK to refrain from taking further actions that would increase tensions in the region, and insisted that the country comply with its obligations and restart dialogue with the parties concerned without delay.

News Tracker: past stories on this issue
Ban regrets DPR Korea rocket launch, calls for dialogue

QUOTE:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2258061/posts

Pyongyang gave Washington hour’s notice; Obama plays golf
Earth Times ^ | May 25, 2009 Memorial Day | DPA
Posted on May 25, 2009 4:57:30 PM PDT by joinedafterattack

Washington - North Korea gave Washington about an hour’s notice before its early Monday morning test of a nuclear explosive device that was estimated to be “a few kilotons” in strength, a senior US government official said.

While a response of condemnation kept US President Barack Obama working well past midnight and into early Monday morning, just hours later he laid a memorial wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at the military’s burial grounds, Arlington National Cemetery, to commemorate Memorial Day, and then played more than four hours of golf.

(Excerpt) Read more at earthtimes.org ...

[ North Korean Ambassador to Iran So Se Pyong said, during a meeting with Iranian presidential advisor Mahdi Mostafavi, that the U.S. seeks to topple the regimes of Iran and North Korea, and stressed his country’s support for Iran’s nuclear program. ]

I'm at a loss here, it that a bad thing?..- persona George Costanza...

Wonder who will sell or give them diesel fuel this next winter to prevent their peoples from freezing to death.

You from Texas, too? Who knew!

Way to go! Thank you for the picture!

QUOTE:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2258153/posts

N.Korea Restricts Sailing off Northwest Coast (another likely missile launch)
Chosun Ilbo ^ | 05/26/09
Posted on May 25, 2009 8:53:51 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster

N.Korea Restricts Sailing off Northwest Coast

North Korea has restricted passage of ships in the area off the coast of the West Korea Bay some 100 km northwest of Pyongyang. Japan’s Kyodo news agency quoted the Japanese Coast Guard as saying one of its patrol boats had intercepted a warning sent out by the North to one of its vessels. The timeframe is reportedly from Monday through Wednesday during 9 am and 5 pm.

The exact reason behind the warning has yet to be confirmed, but it could be a precursor to another missile launch. Just last week North Korea designated other coastal areas as no sail zones and this was followed by the test-launch of three short-range missiles Monday.

(Excerpt) Read more at english.chosun.com ...

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=54491

President, Top U.S. Military Officer Denounce North Korean Nuclear Test

By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 25, 2009 – The president and the nation’s top military officer today denounced North Korea’s claim that it carried out a powerful underground nuclear test, much larger than previous such tests, to “bolster its nuclear deterrent for self-defense.”

“North Korea’s nuclear ballistic missile programs pose a great threat to the peace and security of the world and I strongly condemn their reckless action,” Obama told reporters this morning in the White House Rose Garden.

North Korea’s actions they are a blatant violation of international law, and they contradict North Korea’s own prior commitments, he said.

“The record is clear: North Korea has previously committed to abandoning its nuclear program,” Obama said. “Instead of following through on that commitment it has chosen to ignore that commitment. These actions have also flown in the face of United Nations resolutions.

“As a result, North Korea is not only deepening its own isolation, it’s also inviting stronger international pressure — that’s evident overnight, as Russia and China, as well a our traditional allies of South Korea and Japan, have all come to the same conclusion: North Korea will not find security and respect through threats and illegal weapons.”

Obama said the international community must take action in response to North Korea’s threatening activities.

“We will work with friends and our allies to stand up to this behavior and redouble our efforts toward a more robust international nonproliferation regime that all countries have responsibilities to meet.”

“In this effort, the United States will never waiver from our determination to protect our people and the peace and security of the world,” he said.

In a statement issued by the White House earlier this morning, the president said U.S. officials have been and will continue working with allies and partners in the Six-Party Talks as well as other members of the U.N. Security Council in the days ahead.

Broadcasting from the Pentagon, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, appeared on the major network morning shows. The chairman typically is interviewed as part of the networks’ Memorial Day coverage.

But the reported nuclear tests quickly overshadowed the chairman’s message of troops’ and families’ sacrifices, and turned to questions about any proposed U.S. military response and whether it could afford another conflict on top of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

While Pentagon officials could not yet confirm the reports of the test, Mullen said, it was not “unanticipated.”

Mullen said the nuclear test is indicative of “the growing belligerence of North Korea, the growing isolation of a country that continues to defy the international norm and international law, and actually, the growing concern that I and many others have for their ability to destabilize a really vital region of the world.”

Mullen said the international community “must continue to bring pressure on (North Korea) to ensure that in the long run they don’t achieve a nuclear weapons program that could threaten the region and actually threaten the United States as well.”

Mullen said the six-party talks, in place to attempt a peaceful resolution to the security concerns of North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, are especially critical moving forward after this reported test.

North Korea, South Korea, China, Japan, Russia and the United States make up the six parties. The talks have been stalled since the United Nations Security Council condemned North Korea in April for a failed missile test. Following the condemnation North Korea expelled United Nations inspectors from the country.

Mullen also said that the test puts North Korea in a position where its own security position is on less stable ground internationally.

“As [Jong] becomes more and more defiant I think he puts himself in a much more difficult position while he clearly continues to try to seek this … very dangerous capability of a nuclear weapons program,” he said.

Mullen said though that diplomatic efforts should be continued, but expressed confidence that the U.S. military can deal with any threat posed by North Korea.

“The issue of a third war would be a huge challenge,” he said. We’ve got reserve capacity in our military, a very strong Navy, a very strong Air Force. So I would not want anybody to think that we don’t have the capacity to respond, even though our military is very, very pressed and very, very stretched right now.”

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2258184/posts

“After nuclear test, North Korea set to test-fire missiles”
AFP via The Times of India ^ | 26 May 2009 | AFP
Posted on May 26, 2009 12:01:00 AM PDT by MyTwoCopperCoins