North Korea Says It Tested A Nuclear-Capable Underwater Attack Drone

North Korean state media published these images of the "underwater nuclear system" when the drones were revealed last April

BBC: N Korea conducts 'underwater nuclear weapons system' test - state media 

North Korea says it has carried out a test of its "underwater nuclear weapons system" in response to drills by the US, South Korea and Japan this week. 

The underwater drone, which supposedly can carry a nuclear weapon, was tested off the east coast, state media said. 

There is no other evidence of the tests being conducted and Seoul had earlier said the North's descriptions of the drones' capability were exaggerated. 

South Korea called the reported tests a "provocation". It "threatens peace on [the] Korean Peninsula and the world," the South Korea's defence ministry said, adding:

"If North Korea directly provokes us, we will respond in an overwhelming manner following the principle of immediate, strong, and terminal action."  

Read more ....  

WNU editor: It is belevied that this was the device that was tested .... What Is HAEIL-5-23? North Korea's Underwater Nuke System Test Raises Alarm (Newsweek). More here .... Haeil-5-23 Nuclear Bomb Drone: North Korea's 'Sneak Attack' Weapon (National Interest). 

North Korea Says It Tested A Nuclear-Capable Underwater Attack Drone  

North Korea says it tested a nuclear-capable underwater drone in response to rivals’ naval drills -- AP  

North Korea says it has tested another underwater nuclear drone -- Washington Post 

North Korea claims it tested 'underwater nuclear weapon system' -- France 24  

North Korea says it has tested an underwater nuclear attack drone -- PA Media  

North Korea claims it tested nuclear-capable underwater drone capable of destroying naval vessels and ports -- FOX News  

North Korea conducts test of underwater nuclear weapon system: KCNA -- ABC News

North Korea claims to test underwater nuclear-capable drone after US, South Korea and Japan show off naval might -- CNN 

North Korea says it tested underwater nuclear attack drone -- The Hill

North Korea's 2017 Nuclear Test Was The Equivalent To '17 Times The Size' Of Hiroshima

Satellites such as Sentinel-1 (pictured) and ALOS-2 carry advanced synthetic aperture radars that can provide data that can be used to map changing land cover, ground deformation, ice shelves and glaciers. Dr Sreejith says they can also be used in detecting nuclear tests

Newsweek: North Korea's 2017 Nuclear Explosion Was Equivalent of 17 Hiroshima Bombs, Study Suggests

The nucler weapon detonated underground by North Korea in 2017 could have been 17 times as powerful as the "Little Boy" bomb dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima in 1945.

According to research recently published in the Geophysical Journal International, the North Korean blast released energy equivalent to 245 and 271 kilotons of TNT. In contrast, the "Little Boy" bomb that the U.S. deployed over Hiroshima contained a blast yield of 15 kilotons.

North Korea kick-started its nuclear program after withdrawing from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in 2003. The first of a series of nuclear tests took place three years later, in 2006, and culminated in the testing of what experts suspect was a hydrogen bomb on September 3, 2017.

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More News On Reports That North Korea's 2017 Nuclear Test Was The Equivalent To '17 Times The Size' Of Hiroshima

North Korea nuclear test equivalent to '17 times the size' of Hiroshima -- FOX News
North Korean Nuke Equivalent to ‘17 Hiroshimas’ According to Space-Based Radar -- SciTechDaily
A blast big enough to move a mountain! Space-based radar reveals the nuclear weapon tested by North Korea in 2017 was 17 TIMES more powerful than Hiroshima -- Daily Mail

North Korea's 2017 Nuclear Test Was Probably A Thermonuclear One

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un provides guidance on a nuclear weapons program in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang September 3, 2017. © KCNA / Reuters

Popular Mechanics: North Korea's Latest Nuclear Test Was More Powerful Than We Thought

The 2017 nuclear test was up to two thirds more powerful than the U.S. intelligence community estimated.

North Korea’s most recent nuclear test was far more powerful than the U.S. government claimed. A new analysis of the 2017 test reveals it had an explosive yield of approximately 250 kilotons, or about fifteen times greater than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. The new estimate is dramatically bigger than previous North Korean nuclear tests, lending credence to claims that a thermonuclear device was tested.

The 2017 device was part of a escalating series of nuclear tests, with each more powerful than the last. North Korea’s first nuclear test took place in 2006 and had a estimated yield of .7 to 2 kilotons. The fifth test had an estimated yield of between 15 and 25 kilotons. The device, tested on September 3rd, 2017, caused a magnitude 6.3 earthquake and shifted the mountain, Mt. Mantap, the bomb was tested under.

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WNU Editor: Estimates that this was an explosion with a range of 148 and 328 kilotons, with a likely yield of 250 kilotons, is enough proof to me that this was probably a thermonuclear explosion.

Did North Korea Just Conduct A Nuclear Test?

The United States Geological Survey explained: 'This event occurred in the area of the previous North Korean Nuclear tests. 'The event has earthquake like characteristics, however, we cannot conclusively confirm at this time the nature (natural or human-made) of the event'

Daily Mail: Has Kim Jong-Un tested another nuclear bomb? Magnitude 2.9 earthquake is detected near North Korean test site

* Small earthquake detected in North Korea near where nuclear tests conducted
* US Geological Survey said 2.9 magnitude quake recorded near Sungjibaegam
* It explained the event occurred in the area of the previous regime nuclear tests

A small earthquake has been detected in North Korea in the same part of the country where previous nuclear tests were conducted.

The United States Geological Survey said the 2.9 magnitude earthquake was recorded 14 miles northeast of Sungjibaegam.

It explained: 'This event occurred in the area of the previous North Korean Nuclear tests.

'The event has earthquake like characteristics, however, we cannot conclusively confirm at this time the nature (natural or human-made) of the event.'

Read more ....

WNU Editor: If these reports are true .... a 2.9 magnitude is very small explosion .... or an aftershock from a previous quake.

More News On Concerns That North Korea Just Conducted A Nuclear Test

Small quake rattles North Korea nuclear testing grounds, not manmade: South Korea -- Reuters
Small quake registered in area of North Korea where previous nuclear tests occurred -- USA Today
North Korea: Earthquake near nuclear site sparks fears of fresh hydrogen bomb test -- The Independent
Small Earthquake Detected in North Korea In Same Location as Prior Nuke Tests -- Epoch Times
North Korea earthquake sparks fears of new nuclear test -- Evening Standard
Earthquake Rattles North Korea, Speculation Country Tested Another Nuke Weapon -- Sputnik

Another Nuclear Test In North Korea?

News of the earthquake was broadcast in Seoul, South Korea

The Guardian: North Korean quake raises concerns about further nuclear test

China reports ‘suspected explosion’ but South Korea suggest minor tremor was a natural occurrence.

An earthquake detected in North Korea has led to conflicting reports that the country may have carried out another nuclear bomb test.

China said the 3.4 magnitude quake was a “suspected explosion”, however an official at South Korea’s meteorological agency said its initial analysis of the tremor, which they put at magnitude 3.0, showed it was a natural quake.

“A key method is to look at the seismic waves or seismic acoustic waves and the latter can be detected in the case of a man-made earthquake,” said the unnamed official. “In this case we saw none. So as of now, we are categorising this as a natural earthquake.”

The earthquake was detected in Kilju county in North Hamgyong province, where the Punggyeri nuclear site is located, the official said.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: China says that it was a test .... South Korea says no. Who to believe?

More News On Concerns That North Korea May Have Conducted A Small Nuclear Test

North Korea: Tremor detected near weapon test site -- BBC
Small North Korean quake likely natural, not nuclear test: experts -- Reuters
North Korea is rocked by 3.4 magnitude earthquake that China claims is an 'explosion', hours after 'rabid dog' Trump mocked 'madman' Kim - but South Korea claims tremor was natural -- Daily Mail
Earthquake in North Korea sparks fears over new nuclear test -- Sydney Morning Herald
China experts say 3.4-quake hits North Korea in 'suspected explosion' -- SBS
Quake detected in NK presumed to be natural: S. Korean agency -- The Korea Herald

Foreign Minister: North Korea Could Test Hydrogen Bomb In Pacific

Photo: North Korea's Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho leaves a bilateral meeting with his China's counterpart Wang Yi, at the sidelines of the ASEAN foreign ministers meeting in Vientiane, Laos July 25, 2016. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

The Guardian: North Korea could test hydrogen bomb in Pacific, says foreign minister

North Korea could respond to Donald Trump’s threats of military action by testing a powerful nuclear weapon in the Pacific Ocean, the country’s foreign minister has said, hours after the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, said the US president would “pay dearly” for threatening to destroy the regime.

Ri Yong-ho, who is due to address the UN general assembly at the weekend, told reporters in New York: “It could be the most powerful detonation of an H-bomb in the Pacific. We have no idea about what actions could be taken as it will be ordered by leader Kim Jong-un.”

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WNU Editor: To those who live in Hawaii and the North American west coast .... get ready for some nuclear fall-out.

More News On The North Korean Foreign Minister Warning That The Next Nuclear Test May Be In The Pacific

N.K. FM says 'highest-level' actions in Kim's remarks may be H-bomb test in Pacific -- Yonhap News Agency
North Korea could test hydrogen bomb in Pacific, top diplomat says -- FOX News
N.Korea official says North may consider hydrogen bomb on Pacific Ocean - Yonhap -- Reuters
North Korea Actions May Include Pacific H-Bomb Test, Yonhap Says -- Bloomberg
North Korea could test hydrogen bomb over Pacific Ocean, says foreign minister -- CNN
North Korea ‘may test hydrogen bomb in the Pacific’ -- The Australian
North Korea 'may test hydrogen bomb in Pacific' -- Stuff
North Korea 'may test hydrogen bomb in Pacific', says foreign minister -- SBS

North Korean Nuclear Test Far Bigger Than Reported

Kim Jong-un, center, before a nuclear test at an undisclosed location, according to the North’s state-run news agency. Credit KCNA

Bloomberg: North Korea's Nuke Test May Have Been Twice as Strong as Thought

North Korea’s latest nuclear test may have been more than twice as powerful as first thought -- or 17 times stronger than the Hiroshima bomb -- according to an analysis by 38 North.

New seismic data from the Sept. 3 explosion suggest a blast of about 250 kilotons, compared with an initial estimate of 120 kilotons, analysts Frank Pabian, Joseph Bermudez Jr. and Jack Liu wrote for the website, which is run by the U.S.-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies. The energy released by the U.S. bomb detonated over Hiroshima in 1945 was about 15 kilotons.

Read more ....

More News On North Korean Nuclear Test Being Far Bigger Than Reported

North Korea’s Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site: Satellite Imagery Shows Post-Test Effects and New Activity in Alternate Tunnel Portal Areas -- 38 North
North Korea may have detonated 250-kiloton bomb -- UPI
North Korea Nuclear Yield Estimated At 250 Kilotons: US Monitor -- NDTV/AFP
North Korea nuclear test may have been twice as strong as first thought -- Washington Post

Satellite Images Show Landslides At The North Korean Nuclear Site (Update)

Satellite images of Mount Mantap from Sept. 1 and Sept. 4, before and after North Korea’s latest nuclear test deep under the mountain. Credit Planet Labs

New York Times: Satellite Images of North Korea Show Landslides at Nuclear Test Site

Analysts peering at satellite images of North Korea after the latest nuclear test reported Tuesday that they had spotted many landslides and wide disturbances at the country’s test site, in the North’s mountainous wilds. Tunnels for the nuclear blasts are deep inside Mount Mantap, a mile-high peak.

“These disturbances are more numerous and widespread than what we have seen from any of the five tests North Korea previously conducted,” three experts wrote in an analysis for 38 North, a website run by the U.S.-Korea Institute of the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.

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WNU Editor: The sniffer planes are in the air measuring the fallout (if any) .... All you need to know about the US 'sniffer' planes monitoring North Korea (Business Insider).

More News On Satellite Images That Show Possible Landslides At The North Korean Nuclear Site (Update)

First satellite images show unprecedented landslides from North Korea nuke test -- Asia Times
North Korea nuclear site show 'disturbances,' landslides -- UPI
North Korea nuclear testing: Mountain may be at risk of collapse after heart blasted out by hydrogen bomb -- News.com.au
N. Korea nuclear test 'caused landslides' -- NST/AFP
North Korea nuclear test site could collapse and spread radiation across region, scientists say -- Washington Examiner

Is North Korea’s Nuclear Test Site At Risk Of Imploding

South China Morning Post: North Korea’s nuclear test site at risk of imploding, Chinese scientist says

If mountain under which last five bombs were ‘almost certainly’ detonated crumbles, radiation would leak across region, expert warns.

The single mountain under which North Korea most likely conducted its five most recent nuclear bomb tests, including the latest and most powerful on Sunday, could be at risk of collapsing, a Chinese scientist said.

By measuring and analysing the shock waves caused by the blasts, and picked up by quake stations in China and neighbouring countries, researchers at the University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei, Anhui province, said they were confident that they were all carried out from under the same mountain at the Punggye-ri test site.

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WNU Editor: Radioactive contamination is a problem that both Russia and the U.S. have had in the past .... especially when they went through a phase of conducting above-ground tests. The problem is that North Korea is conducting its tests in a vicinity where there are tens of millions of people living within a radius of a few hundred kilometers. The last thing that people in this region will want is a problem of low level radiation spreading around.

International Reaction To Today's North Korean Nuclear Test

Reuters: North Korean nuclear test prompts global condemnation

LONDON (Reuters) - North Korea’s biggest nuclear test to date was condemned around the world on Sunday, with several leaders calling for new sanctions and U.S. President Donald Trump saying “appeasement” would not work.

The explosion of what North Korea said was an advanced hydrogen bomb came just days after it fired a missile over Japan.

Trump, who said after last week’s missile launch that talking to Pyongyang “is not the answer”, tweeted that Sunday’s test showed North Korea’s “words and actions continue to be very hostile and dangerous to the United States”.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said he would put together new sanctions to potentially cut off all North Korea’s global trade.

Read more ....

More International Reaction To Day's North Korean Nuclear Test

North Korea announces hydrogen bomb test: World leaders react -- ABC News
North Korean nuclear program a grave concern: U.N. watchdog -- Reuters
North Korea nuclear test 'extremely regrettable': UN watchdog -- AFP
The Latest: US, South Korea speak after North’s nuclear test -- AP
Russia expresses deep concern about North Korea nuclear test -- Reuters
Russian President Vladimir Putin condemns North Korea nuclear test, appeals for calm -- Financial Express
Xi, Putin agree to 'appropriately deal' with N.Korea nuclear test: Xinhua -- Reuters
Putin & Xi agree to ‘appropriately deal’ with N. Korea nuclear test – Xinhua -- RT
China urges North Korea to stop 'wrong' actions after nuclear test. -- Reuters
China 'strongly condemns' N. Korean nuclear test: foreign ministry -- AFP
China's anger at West to overshadow tougher action on North Korea -- Reuters
South Korea seeks 'strongest' measures, including new sanctions after North Korea nuke test -- Reuters
N. Korea nuclear test 'absolutely unacceptable': Japan PM -- AFP
Japan spokesman: Sanctions on N Korea oil-trade an option -- Reuters
Merkel, Macron call for tougher EU sanctions against North Korea -- Reuters
UK says North Korea nuclear test is reckless, could bring a "new order of threat" -- Reuters
Justin Trudeau wants the UN Security Council to step in on North Korea -- National Post

Did North Korea Test A Hydrogen Bomb?

Washington Post: In latest test, North Korea detonates its most powerful nuclear device yet

TOKYO — North Korea sharply raised the stakes Sunday in its standoff with the rest of the world, detonating a powerful nuclear device that it claimed was a hydrogen bomb that could be attached to a missile capable of reaching the mainland United States.

Even if Kim Jong Un’s regime is exaggerating its feats, scientific evidence showed that North Korea had crossed an important threshold and had detonated a nuclear device that was vastly more powerful than its last — and almost seven times the size of the bomb that destroyed Hiroshima.

Tensions had already been running high, with Kim repeatedly defying international condemnation and increasingly blunt warnings by President Trump, and continuing to launch ballistic missiles.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Analysts are now saying that this test was in the 100+ kiloton range. If this is the case, this tells me that it was either a very powerful atomic explosion, or more likely a hydrogen bomb test. If this was an H-Bomb test, this changes everything. I am sure that the "sniffer planes" that collect and examine air samples are in the air right now, and that a determination on what type of explosion this was will soon be forthcoming. Either-way .... this changes everything right now, and I expect on the diplomatic front China will be pressured in the coming days/weeks/months to cut all economic ties with North Korea.

On a side note, I was told years ago that there are tens of thousands of engineers/physicists/etc. around the world who have a basic understanding on how to build an atomic bomb (if they have the nuclear material and a knowledge of explosives). When it comes to the more powerful hydrogen-bomb .... that expertise is only limited to a few hundred. If North Korea did explode a hydrogen bomb .... they either have a group of people who are extremely smart on these things, or they got their hands (and expertise) on the plans on how to build one from somewhere else. I do not have any evidence but my gut is telling me that considering how quick they have developed their missile and nuclear tech in only the past two years .... they are getting help and/or have received help. As to who can help them with this type of technology .... the list is short, but a few weeks ago I was speculating on this (read my comment) .... Report: Ukraine Sold Rocket Engines For North Korea's Missiles (August 14, 2017). I know that when the Soviet Union broke up, pressure was out on Ukraine to give up their nuclear grade weapons stockpile .... which they did. As for the plans and schematics on how to build one .... who knows ... but I hope to God that there is no Ukraine link to today's nuclear test.

More News And Analysis On What Did North Korean Explode Today

Did North Korea just test a hydrogen bomb? -- Ian Sample, The Guardian
Japan says tremors in North Korea were 10 times as powerful as previous nuclear test -- Reuters
Kim inspects 'nuclear warhead': A picture decoded -- BBC
North Korea tests most powerful nuclear bomb yet -- CNN
Here Are The Facts About North Korea's Nuclear Test -- NPR
What is a hydrogen bomb? A look at the latest potential threat from North Korea -- ABC News
What North Korea Might Have Actually Tested on Sunday -- Sputnik
North Korea Carries Out Sixth Nuclear Test of Claimed Two-Stage Thermonuclear bomb -- The Diplomat
U.S. intel official: No doubt North Korea tested advanced device -- Reuters
North Korea just tested its most powerful nuclear bomb yet -- VOX
What happens when North Korea tests a nuclear weapon -- Joshua Berlinger, CNN
Hydrogen bomb vs. atomic bomb: What's the difference? -- USA TODAY
Hydrogen vs atomic bomb: What's the difference? -- DW
North Korea Nuclear Test: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know -- Heavy
Chronology of North Korean missile development -- AFP
The most powerful nuclear blasts ever -- BBC

North Korea's Nuclear Test - News Roundup And Updates

FOX News: North Korea claims hydrogen bomb test was 'perfect success,' 6th nuclear test

North Korea said on Sunday it detonated a hydrogen bomb, possibly triggering an artificial earthquake and prompting immediate condemnation from its neighbors -- despite the rogue regime calling the test a "perfect success."

The blast, carried out at 12:29 p.m. local time at the Punggye-ri site, triggered a magnitude 6.3 earthquake in North Korea that was detected 55 kilometers north northwest of Kimchaek, U.S. Geological Survey reported. Officials in Seoul initially said it was a magnitude 5.7 quake.

Read more ....

North Korea's Nuclear Test - News Roundup And Updates

North Korea hydrogen bomb: Read the full announcement from Pyongyang -- CNBC
North Korea conducts 6th nuclear test, says it was H-bomb -- AP
North Korea says conducts 'perfect' hydrogen bomb test -- Reuters
North Korea's top newsreader announces H-bomb success -- AFP
North Korea Says It Tested a Hydrogen Bomb Meant for Missiles -- New York Times
North Korean nuclear test confirmed in major escalation by Kim Jong-un -- The Guardian
North Korea claims successful hydrogen bomb test -- DW
North Korea says it successfully tested hydrogen bomb, marking sixth nuclear test since 2006 -- ABC News Online
N. Korea claims successful H-bomb test -- UPI
Pyongyang Claims It Now Has Hydrogen Bomb Small Enough to Mount on ICBM -- Sputnik
N. Korea tested hydrogen bomb that can be mounted on ICBM – state TV -- RT

BREAKING NEWS: North Korea Has Conducted A Nuclear Test

#BREAKING USGS records 6.3-magnitude "explosion" 24 kilometres (15 miles) east northeast of Sungjibaegam in North Korea

— AFP news agency (@AFP) September 3, 2017

Tremor detected in North Korea https://t.co/b9LB30zxPv

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) September 3, 2017

North Korea may have conducted sixth nuclear test: Yonhap https://t.co/kQecX4Oxkh pic.twitter.com/DHB2hSCDJK

— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) September 3, 2017

North Korea Tremor Suggests Nation Has Conducted 6th Nuclear Test https://t.co/WDIoHUjPh2

— The New York Times (@nytimes) September 3, 2017

WNU Editor: AFP is reporting that the magnitude was 6.3. .... which if true means that it was a major (and successful) nuclear underground test.

Take A 3D Tour Of North Korea’s Main Nuclear Test Site

Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site
by JamesMartinCNS
on Sketchfab

Verge: Take a 3D tour of North Korea’s nuclear test site, thanks to open source intelligence

Experts suspect North Korea’s sixth nuclear test is coming soon

Rumors have been flying around about the possibility of a North Korean nuclear test, thanks in part to activity at North Korea’s nuclear test site. If it is, this will be the sixth known nuclear test in 11 years — and a clear sign that North Korean arms development is continuing.

Now, because it’s hard to get information in or out of North Korea, it’s not clear that will actually test a nuclear bomb. The next big thing might also be a new missile, or just the opening of a new street.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: A different look at how North Korea tests its nuclear weapons.

Report: North Korea Preparing For Another Nuclear Test

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is pictured at the Headquarters of Large Combined Unit 966 of the Korean People's Army (KPA) in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang on March 1, 2017. KCNA/via REUTERS/File Photo

Reuters: North Korea maintains readiness for nuclear test at any time: South Korea

North Korea has maintained readiness to conduct a new nuclear test at any time, a South Korean military official said on Friday, amid a report of a possible test within days as Pyongyang defies international pressure.

U.S. and South Korean military surveillance assets were closely monitoring the North's Punggye-ri nuclear test site on the reclusive state's east coast, said the official, who declined to be identified.

Speaking by telephone, the official also declined to comment on whether there were fresh signs pointing to an imminent test.

Read more ....

More News On Reports That North Korea Is Preparing For Another Nuclear Test

North Korea will launch another nuclear test in next few days, officials say -- FOX News
North Korea preparing for nuclear test at Punggye-ri, officials say -- UPI
North Korea prepping nuclear test in next few days: report -- Japan Times
North Korea Might Be Getting Ready for Its Next Nuke Test -- The Diplomat
UN condemns North Korea tests which contribute to nukes -- AP
North Korea's Kim Jong Un Is Starving His People to Pay for Nuclear Weapons -- Newsweek

Satellite Images Show North Korea Is Preparing For Another Nuclear Test

Joong Ang Daily

Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., RCD/38 North: North Korea Prepares for Another Nuclear Test

Summary

New commercial satellite imagery of the Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site from March 7 indicates activity at the North Portal, Main Administrative Area and Command Center. The sum of these activities supports an assessment that North Korea continues to prepare the tunnels at the North Portal for a future nuclear test. It also suggests that Punggye-ri is capable of handling a sixth nuclear test on short notice once a nuclear device and the associated monitoring equipment are emplaced. However, it is not possible to predict the timing of such a test based on the latest image.

Read more ....

Update #1: North Korea War? Pyongyang Preparing For Next Nuclear Test, Satellite Images Show (IBTimes)
Update #2: Satellite Images Show Preparations for Nuclear Test at North Korean Site (Sputnik)

WNU Editor: This would be North Korea's sixth test should they decide to go through with it.

Expectations Are Growing The North Korea May Conduct Another Nuclear Or Ballistic Missile Test

Reuters: Images show activity at North Korea satellite launch site: report

An increase in activity at a North Korean satellite launch site could indicate preparations for a new test or other activities, a U.S.-based monitoring group said on Saturday.

The 38 North group, run by Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies, said satellite images taken on Oct. 1 show increased activity at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station, including crates on the launch pad and vehicles near the fuel and oxidizer buildings.

But it added that since some of the structures on the launch pad are covered, "it is unclear whether this activity is related to launch preparations or other operations."

Read more ....

More News On Expectations That North Korea May Conduct Another Nuclear Or Ballistic Missile Test

N. Korea alludes to possible long-range rocket launch -- Yonhap News
Satellite images show activity at North Korea nuclear test site -- The Sydney Morning Herald
North Korean Activity at Nuclear Site May Be Preparation for Another Test -- Sputnik
Tokyo watches for North Korea nuclear test ahead of Workers’ Party anniversary -- Japan Times
Activity at North Korea nuclear site raises fears of new test -- SKY News
Report: Spy planes being deployed to collect North Korea data -- UPI
North Korea: When is an earthquake a nuclear test? -- BBC
Is North Korea preparing for another nuclear test? -- Josh Kenworthy, CSM
North Korea is ‘racing towards the nuclear finish line’ -- Anna Fifield, Washington Post

How 'Big' Was North Korea's Nuclear Test

CNN: North Korea's nuclear tests are getting more powerful

(CNN)Ten years, five nuclear tests, and they appear to be getting stronger.

North Korea claimed to have detonated a nuclear warhead Friday.

At an estimated 10 kilotons, it's thought to be the most powerful explosion yet.

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WNU Editor: Western sources are saying that today's North Korean nuclear test was around 10 Kilotons. Russian sources are saying 30 Kilotons .... Deadlier Than Nagasaki: North Korea's Nuke Test 30 Kilotonnes in Capacity (Sputnik).

Update #1: Q&A: Everything you need to know about the North Korean nuclear test (Washington Post)
Update #2: North Korea's 'biggest' nuclear test sparks global outrage (BBC)
Update #3: Decoding North Korea’s Claim of a Successful Nuclear Test (NYT)

North Korea Has Conducted Its Fifth Nuclear Test

New York Times: North Korea Tests a Nuclear Device, South Says

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea conducted its fifth underground nuclear test on Friday, South Korean officials said, despite threats of more sanctions from the United States and the United Nations. The latest test, according to the officials, produced a more powerful explosive yield than the North’s previous detonations, indicating that the country was making progress in its efforts to build a functional nuclear warhead.

A statement from the South Korean military also said that an artificial tremor, registered as magnitude 5.0, had originated from Punggye-ri in northeastern North Korea, where the North has conducted its four previous underground nuclear tests.

A senior Defense Ministry official later told reporters that his ministry had concluded that the tremor was caused by a nuclear detonation.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: North Korea has confirmed that this was a nuclear test .... North Korea conducts 'biggest atomic test yet' as Pyongyang hails 'nuclear warhead explosion' (The Telegraph). More here .... N. Korea confirms 5th nuke test, claims nuclear missile capability (RT).

More News On North Korea Conducting A Nuclear Test

North Korea nuclear test: regime confirms 'warhead explosion' – live -- The Guardian
Unusual N. Korea seismic activity likely means 5th nuke test -- AP
North Korea conducts fifth and largest nuclear test: South Korea and Japan -- Reuters
North Korea Conducts Fifth Nuclear Test -- WSJ
North Korea conducts 'fifth and biggest nuclear test' -- BBC
South Korea: North Korea conducts fifth nuclear test -- CNN
Quake detected in North Korea is likely a nuclear test -- UPI
North Korea earthquake: 5.3-magnitude quake detected near nuclear test site -- Sydney Morning Herald
North Korea conducted fifth nuclear test, says South Korea -- Financial Times
5.3 Magnitude Quake Reported Near North Korea Nuclear Test Site -- Sputnik
South Korea condemns 'fanatic recklessness' of North Korea nuclear test -- AP
Region on edge as North Korea conducts major nuclear test -- DW
South Korean President: North Korea Conducted Fifth Nuclear Test -- NPR
What to look for in North Korea's fifth nuclear test -- Bruce Bennett, BBC

North Korea's Leader Orders More Nuclear Tests

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets scientists and technicians in the field of researches into nuclear weapons in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang March 9, 2016. REUTERS/KCNA

Reuters: North Korean leader Kim orders more nuclear tests: KCNA

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watched a ballistic missile launch test and ordered the country to improve nuclear attack capability by continuing to conduct more tests, the official KCNA news agency reported on Friday.

The report did not say when the test took place but it was likely referring to the launch of two short-range missiles by North Korea on Thursday that flew 500 km (300 miles) and splashed into the sea.

"Dear comrade Kim Jong Un said work ... must be strengthened to improve nuclear attack capability and issued combat tasks to continue nuclear explosion tests to assess the power of newly developed nuclear warheads and tests to improve nuclear attack capability," KCNA said.

Read more ....

Update: More nuclear tests, urges North Korean leader Kim Jong-un -- The Guardian

WNU Editor: This is North Korea's way of giving the finger to everyone.