Earthquake In North Korea, World Suspects Fresh Nuclear Test

Seoul, Jan 6: A 5.1 magnitude tremor was detected close to North Korea's nuclear test site on Wednesday, triggering concerns that Pyongyang had conducted a fresh atomic explosion.The US Geological Survey said the epicentre of the quake was in the northeast of the country, some 50 kilometres northwest of Kilju city, placing it right next to the Punggye-ri nuclear test site. Nations around the world are suspecting that the quake could have been the result of a fresh nuclear test by North Korea.

The Japanese government said that the earthquake recorded in North Korea might have been caused by a nuclear test. Considering past cases, there is the possibility that this might be a nuclear test by North Korea, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, the government's top spokesman, said at a regular briefing, adding that Tokyo was analysing the situation.

North Korea has conducted three nuclear tests, all at the Punggye-ri site, in 2006, 2009 and 2013.

The South Korean defence ministry said it was looking into the reports, while Yonhap said Foreign Minister Yun Byng-Se had convened an emergency meeting. "Further analysis is necessary to determine whether it is an artificial or a natural quake," a spokesman for the Korea Meteorological Administration said.