North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un visits a tree nursery at the Korean People’s Army. (Getty)
North Korea may have conducted its 5th nuclear test after a possible “artificial” earthquake was detected at the site of a previously claimed nuclear test.
BBC reports that a 5.0 to 5.3 magnitude quake occurred near the North Korean test site, and South Korean officials think it was a nuclear test.
North Korea said Friday it conducted a “nuclear warhead explosion” to counter U.S. “hostility,” said CBS News, and the South Korean president called the test “fanatic recklessness.”
Plot of USGS reported location by Jack Liu
UN sanctions ban North Korea from conducting nuclear or missile tests. There was no confirmation yet that the recent seismic activity – recorded on September 8 – was indeed nuclear, though.
The possible test comes after new Japanese media reports said North Korea might still be holding an American college student, David Sneddon, captive after 12 years.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. There Was a Proclaimed Nuclear Test in January at the Same Location
South Korean conservative activists shout slogans with placards showing portraits of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un during a rally denouncing North Korea’s hydrogen bomb test, in Seoul on January 7, 2016. (Getty)
According to CNN, the possible nuclear test came at the same spot as a test in January.
North Korea proclaimed at that time that it had “successfully carried out a hydrogen bomb test,” its first, said CNN.
During his recent visit to China, President Barack Obama urged China to “tighten” sanctions against North Korea, said Bloomberg.
2. Some Analysts Think North Korea Might Have Used Its Largest Device Ever
The seismic activity was detected in the northeast part of the country. South Korea is calling an emergency national security council meeting as a result, says The Guardian.
A previous test registered slightly less in magnitude, Reuters said. ABC News said there have been four previous quakes that experts think might be North Korean nuclear tests, but they registered lower in strength.
3. The United States Geological Survey Recorded an ‘Explosion’ at the Site
A South Korean man watches a television screen showing North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un. (Getty)
The Guardian says the U.S. Geological Survey said “it had recorded a 5.3 seismic event near the site. It called the event an ‘explosion.'”
The Diplomat writes that “The United States Geological Survey reported the depth of the quake at 0 kilometers, strongly suggesting that Friday’s event was a nuclear test.” That would make 2016 the “the first year to see multiple nuclear tests by North Korea,” says The Diplomat.
4. Satellite Imagery Recently Showed High Levels of Activity at the Site
North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-Un (R) and Chinese Politburo standing committee member Liu Yunshan (L). (Getty)
The U.S.-based 38 North, which monitors North Korea, said two months ago that satellite images showed a high level of activity at the North Korean nuclear test site known as Punggye-ri, said Reuters.
On September 8, 38 North published photos on its website, and wrote, “Recent commercial satellite imagery from August 27 shows new activity at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site. Notably, a small number of mining carts are visible on or near the tailings piles at both the North and West Portals; the tailings pile at the West Portal has expanded and new tracks for mining carts have been laid; and a small building has been erected to the southwest of the South Portal. Overall, this activity indicates that maintenance and minor excavation operations have resumed at Punggye-ri. However, it is unclear if this activity is directly related to preparations for a fifth nuclear test.”
5. North Korea Wants to Build a Weapon That Can Reach the U.S. Mainland, Reports Say
Terrifying to see this North Korea event unfold. I hope we find a peaceful way through it. But options are shrinking
ABC News says the goal of Pyongyang is to increase the range of its weapons until one can reach the U.S. mainland.
The network says North Korea and its leader Kim Jong-un have increased the number and type of missiles tested in the past year, and there are fears they could be used to target U.S. troops stationed in the region.