North Korea launches apparent nuke test

North Korea appeared to have carried out a threatened nuclear test February 12, with international monitoring agencies reporting a seismic event near the site of Pyongyang’s nuclear test site. The tremor, whose magnitude was estimated at between 4.9 and 5.1, was detected at 11:57am (0257 GMT) with the epicenter in Kilju county, where the North’s Punggye-ri test site is located. The US Geological Survey noted the seismic activity — also confirmed by monitors in South Korea, China and Japan — had a very shallow depth of just one kilometer (0.6 miles). Pyongyang has been threatening a “higher-level” nuclear test for weeks despite warnings of severe repercussions from the UN Security Council. If confirmed, it would mark the third time the North has detonated a nuclear device, following previous tests in 2006 and 2009.



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