An artificial earthquake of 4.9 magnitude was detected near North Korea's nuclear test site in Punggye-ri on Tuesday, at 11:57 a.m.

Several hours later, North Korea's state-run media outlet, Korean Central Television announced that the country successfully conducted its third nuclear test.



(Korean)

"Contrary to previous tests, the explosion is stronger, but the nuclear bomb is smaller and more compact. We have confirmed that this nuclear test was highly sophisticated, safe and perfect and it has made no negative effect on its surroundings."



South Korea's defense ministry says the magnitude of the earthquake indicates that this test was the largest North Korea has conducted so far, but it was not as lethal as the Hiroshima or the Nagasaki bombings during World War Two.

Officials outside of North Korea don't know at this point if plutonium or highly-enriched uranium was used.

Meanwhile, the South Korean military worked closely with its U.S. counterparts for increased surveillance on North Korea following the nuclear test.

South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin met with the Commander of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command, General James D. Thurman, and the U.S. ambassador to South Korea, Sung Kim, and they strongly condemned the North for its actions, vowing strong countermeasures.



(Stand-up)

"The South Korean military was on high alert following the nuclear test. The military has raised its WATCHCON surveillance level one notch from level three to level two and is looking out for the possibility of an another nuclear test or even a long-range missile launch.

Kim Han-ul, Arirang News."

Reporter : chkim@arirang.co.kr