Reports of second North Korean test investigated
North Korean leader Kim Jong Il has defied the west by continuing a nuclear weapons programme
Also In The News
|
Paul Hunter, the snooker player dubbed the 'David Beckham of the baize', has died aged 27 following an 18-month battle with cancer. |  |
Wednesday, 11, Oct 2006 08:31
Reports that North Korea may have conducted a second nuclear test are being investigated, as the United Nations (UN) considers tough measures against the reclusive communist state following Pyongyang's confirmation of an earlier test on Monday.
Japanese broadcaster NHK said the country's government was investigating reports of a second nuclear test following rumours of earth tremors in the region.
However, Japan's prime minister Shinzo Abe told a Japanese parliamentary panel that the government had no information that a test had been conducted.
In the United States, White House spokesman Blair Jones said that American officials had no confirmation of a second test by North Korea, adding that Japanese officials had indicated that reports of tremors may actually have been related to an earthquake which occurred in northern Japan.
Japan's meteorological agency said that an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.0 on the Richter scale struck off the coast of Fukushima, some 149 miles north-east of Tokyo, at around 08:58 local time this morning (22:58 BST yesterday).
But despite speculation that rumours of a second nuclear test may prove to be unfounded, the international community remains anxious in the wake of the underground nuclear weapons test North Korea claims to have carried out earlier in the week.
Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer told reporters in Canberra today that his government feared that North Korea intended to conduct a second test.
"We have very real concerns that they may conduct another nuclear test and that they may do so very soon," said Mr Downer, a day after meeting with North Korean ambassador Chon Jae-hong.
Meanwhile, diplomats at the UN are continuing to seek an agreement over what action should be taken against Pyongyang in response to its controversial nuclear test.
A draft resolution put forward by the US yesterday proposed a range of sanctions against North Korea, including a halt to trading in material that could be used to manufacture weapons of mass destruction, an end to financial transactions by the communist state which could be used to support nuclear proliferation, inspections of cargo coming to and from North Korea and a ban on the import of luxury goods into the country.
The measures are proposed under chapter seven of the UN charter, meaning that they would be mandatory and could be enforced by military means, while Japan is also demanding strong action against North Korea.
However, it is understood that permanent security council members, Russia and China, an ally of North Korea, have both insisted that any action taken by the UN must not include the use of military force.