The 2009 North Korean nuclear test was the underground detonation of a nuclear device conducted on 25 May 2009 by the DPRK.[2] This was its second nuclear test, the first test having taken place in October 2006;[3] the country also launched three short-range missiles.[4]
Background
North Korea (officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, or DPRK) 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.[5] 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.[6]
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.[7]
This has been interpreted as referring to the disputes over the low yield of the 2006 test.[8]
Warning
Officials in Washington and Beijing said North Korea had warned their governments of the test about an hour before the Monday detonation (9 p.m. EDT Sunday/0100 GMT Monday) but Japan said it was not given advance notice.[9]
Seismic activity
South Korea and Japan reported seismic activity at 09:50 KST (00:50 UTC).[10] 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.[1][11] The Japan Meteorological Agency measured the seismic activity at magnitude 5.3.[10] The Korea Institute of Geoscience & Mineral Resources reported seismic activity in the same area but far stronger than in 2006.[10] The test was allegedly conducted from 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) underground.[12]
The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed it had detected a nuclear detonation in North Korea and was analysing the data to determine the yield.[13][14]
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.[15]
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 kilotonnes.[16][17] This is approximately the yield of the Fat Man and Trinity plutonium 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 kilotonnes when other sources estimated a yield of 0.5 to 0.9 kilotonnes.[8][18] Defense Minister Lee Sang-Hee of South Korea said that more data were needed but that the yield might be between 1 to 20 kilotonnes.[8]
Analyst Martin Kalinowski at the University of Hamburg estimates the yield at being from 3 to 8 kilotonnes, still a very successful test when compared with the 2006 test.[8][19] 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."[8]
International reaction
International organisations
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.[20]
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".[21]- 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."[22]
- 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."[23]
Members of the 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".[2]
South Korea: President Lee Myung-bak called an emergency meeting of cabinet ministers over the test.[24]
Japan: Japan said the test was "unacceptable" and a violation of UN Security Council resolutions. It was also considering tightening sanctions in response.[24][25]
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".[26]
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".[27]
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”.[28]
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."[20] President Obama's official statement promised "international acceptance" if North Korea complied.[29] President Barack Obama also said that the country's actions "pose a grave threat to the peace and stability of the world".[30]
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".[31]
Australia: Australia offered "absolute condemnation".[32]
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.[33]
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."[34]
France: French Foreign Ministry spokesman Eric Chevallier said France "strongly condemns" the missile test and urges North Korea "to abstain from any new provocation".[35]
Germany: Germany condemned the test.[32]
Iceland: Ossur Skarphedinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs, "strongly condemns North Korea’s nuclear test."[36]
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.[37]
Indonesia: Indonesia deplored the test, saying it would "create new tensions in the region, especially in East Asia".[38]
Iran: Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi said the test was an "internal affair" of North Korea.[39]
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.[40]
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." .[41]
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.[32]
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.[42]
South Africa: South Africa said the test was "unacceptable", warning that nuclear weapons do not create security but are a "threat to humanity".[43]
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."[44]
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."[45]
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."[20]
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.[24] The yen fell from the near highest level in more than two months against the dollar.[46]
Missile tests
On the same day, North Korea also conducted three short-range surface-to-air missile tests.[47] The first missile had a range of 130 kilometres (81 mi),[48] most probably a long-range S-200 SAM.[49] 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.[50]
