Sunday 3 September 2017

6.3 earhtquake in North Korea near nuclear test site

Artificial earthquake’ strikes North Korea near known nuclear test site

https://www.rt.com/news/401859-north-korea-earthquake-nuclear/

An earthquake measuring 6.3 magnitude has struck North Korea near a known nuclear test site, Punggye-ri, suggesting that Pyongyang may have conducted its sixth nuclear test, Yonhap reports.

An allegedly artificial quake was detected at 12:36pm in North Hamgyeong Province, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), Yonhap reports.



"Today, at around 12:36pm, we detected an artificial earthquake measuring 5.6 magnitude... we are analyzing whether a nuclear test was conducted," South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said, according to Yonhap.



The USGS reported the tremor as a 6.3 magnitude, while China's earthquake administration also said it detected a 6.3 magnitude earthquake in northeastern North Korea, calling it a "suspected explosion," Reuters reported.



The Pentagon and the JCS have urgently called for a crisis countermeasure, assuming that North Korea is most likely to have conducted a sixth nuclear test, the report added.



Seoul's presidential office has already accused its neighbor of conducting a nuclear test while president Moon Jae-in has convened a National Security Council meeting.


'Kim Jong-un inspected the new hydrogen bomb during his visit to the nuclear facility' https://on.rt.com/8m2i  pic.twitter.com/cHHCm2JI1x
North Korea's Nuclear Weapons Institute has created 'more developed nuke' to add to arsenal - N. Korean state mediahttps://on.rt.com/8m2i  pic.twitter.com/BQE3n96vMm

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Earlier in the day, North Korea's official news agency (KCNA) reported that the Nuclear Weapons Institute has created a“more developed nuke,” that can be fitted on an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).


The new alleged hydrogen bomb, the report said, not only features “enormous destructive power” but can also be used to detonate a “super powerful” electromagnetic pulse.

South Korea’s National Intelligence Service warned Monday that its neighbor might be preparing its sixth nuclear weapon test from a nuclear test site in Punggye-ri. North Korea has already conducted five nuclear tests – in 2006, 2009, 2013 and in January and September 2016. During the last test, the North claimed it had successfully detonated a small nuclear warhead.


DETAILS TO FOLLOW

From earlier in the day


North Korea says it has developed ‘advanced hydrogen bomb’ that can be fitted on ICBM




North Korea has developed a new, more advanced hydrogen nuke that is small enough to be fitted on a new intercontinental ballistic missile, state media KCNA has claimed.

According to the KCNA report, North Korea's Nuclear Weapons Institute has created a “more developed nuke,” bringing about a “signal turn” in the country’s nuclear arsenal. Kim Jong-un, the country’s leader, inspected the new weapon during his visit to the nuclear facility.


Scientists “further upgraded its technical performance at a higher ultra-modern level on the basis of precious successes made in the first H-bomb test,” KCNA said, boasting about the progress of the domestic weapons program.


The Nuclear Weapons Research Institute has recently achieved a higher level of research and production of nuclear weapons,” in accordance with the country’s strategic plan of nuclear weaponization, KCNA said.


Our hydrogen fuel, which can be arbitrarily adjusted from tens of to hundreds of kilotons depending on the target of the nuclear strike, not only exerts enormous destructive power,” but can also explode at a high altitude, producing a “super powerful EMP [electromagnetic pulse] against a vast region,” it said.


It is a multifunctional thermonuclear combat unit,” KCNA said, adding that all of its elements are “100% localized and all processes necessary for the production of nuclear weapons are integrated.”

The US considers a potential EMP attack a real threat to the nation, capable of inflicting “catastrophic” damage.


The electromagnetic fields produced by weapons designed and deployed with the intent to produce EMP have a high likelihood of damaging electrical power systems, electronics, and information systems upon which American society depends. Their effects on dependent systems and infrastructures could be sufficient to qualify as catastrophic to the Nation,” the Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from Electromagnetic Pulse Attack, said in their report.


An electromagnetic pulse attack on US soil could inflict major damage to vital electronic systems, according to a 2008 report from the Heritage Foundation.


First, the electromagnetic shock disrupts electronics, such as sensors, communications systems, protective systems, computers, and other similar devices. The second component has a slightly smaller range and is similar in effect to lightning... [and can cause] potential for damage to critical infrastructure. The final component... is a pulse that flows through electricity transmission lines-damaging distribution centers and fusing power lines,” the Heritage Foundation explained.


For years now, the North has been relentlessly pursuing a program to develop a nuclear weapon small enough to be mounted on an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). In January 2016, Pyongyang claimed it had successfully tested its first hydrogen bomb.

In July, North Korea, claimed it tested two ICBMs which could potentially strike continental US. However, Russian Defense Ministry data classed both missiles as Intermediate-Range Nuclear Missiles, while the rhetoric between US and North Korea has intensified.


On August 29, tensions on the Korean peninsula reached epic proportions after North Korea conducted its 14th missile test this year in response to the joint US-South Korea Ulchi Freedom Guardian drills which concluded this week. Pyongyang’s intermediate range ballistic missile flew over Northern Japan, sparking worldwide criticism and a statement of condemnation by the UN Security Council.


US President Donald Trump said “all options are on the table” regarding North Korea, later adding that “talking is not the answer.”


Amid the warmongering, Russia and China continue to insist that a military solution to the conflict is not an option. On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that further escalations could lead to an armed regional conflict.


The situation on the Korean Peninsula, where tensions have grown recently, is balancing on the brink of a large-scale conflict. Russia believes that the policy of putting pressure on Pyongyang to stop its nuclear missile program is misguided and futile,” Putin said Friday.


Dutchsinse picked this up in one of his broadcasts


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