S. Korea detects tremors as N. Korea conducts nuclear test

(ATTN: UPDATES; ADDS comments, details, background throughout)
By Byun Duk-keun, Sam Kim
SEOUL, May 25 (Yonhap) -- North Korea said it conducted a second nuclear test on
Monday, as South Korean officials said they detected tremors of an "artificial
earthquake" in the communist state.

"An artificial earthquake was detected at 9:54 this morning near Poongkye-ri in
North Hamkyong Province," Lee Dong-kwan, a spokesman for the presidential office
Cheong Wa Dae, told reporters.
A source at the Ministry of National Defense said the magnitude was estimated at
4.5 on the Richter scale, speaking on condition of anonymity.
North Korea conducted its first known atomic test in October 2006. The country
has recently threatened to go ahead with another test after the U.N. Security
Council condemned its April 5 rocket launch.
On Friday, South Korean and Japanese officials said North Korea banned ships from
the waters off its northeast coast, speculating Pyongyang was readying to
test-fire short-range missiles.
President Lee Myung-bak called for an emergency meeting of the National Security
Council at 1:00 p.m., officials said. Poongkye-ri was the site of the first test.
"South Korean and U.S. intelligence officials are assessing and closely
monitoring the situation," Lee Dong-kwan said.
The test, which North Korea claimed was "successful," came hours after its leader
Kim Jong-il offered condolences on the death of late South Korean President Roh
Moo-hyun.
bdk@yna.co.kr
samkim@yna.co.kr
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