Overview. At 9:54 AM (KST), 25 May, North Korea conducted its second nuclear test near the northeastern town of Kilchu (near the site of the North’s 2006 nuclear test).
In the open media, South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency first carried the news of the test at 11:49 AM (KST), reporting that “South Korea has detected an ‘artificial earthquake’ in North Korea.” At 12:00 PM (KST), North Korea’s KCBS broadcasted the KCNA communiqué of a “successful” nuclear test. At 1210 hours, the KCNA published its communiqué in English. Along with its nuclear test, North Korea also test-fired two short-range missiles on 25 May, and three short-range missiles on 26 May. There are also indications of possible preparation for more missile launch.
Reactions from countries in the region have included South Korea putting its military on alert and convening an emergency meeting of its National Security Council (NSC). On 26 May (KST), South Korea announced its decision to fully participate in the PSI. South Korea has also banned all visits to North Korea by South Korean nationals, with the exception of those traveling to the joint industrial complex in Kaesong. South Korea and US presidents agreed that the test was a “reckless violation of international law that compels action in response,” and agreed to “strongly punish” North Korea for its test.
Japan reacted angrily to the North Korean nuclear test, with Prime Minister Taro Aso saying, "It is a major challenge to the nuclear nonproliferation regime and is a clear violation of the UNSC resolution. It absolutely cannot be allowed." Aso also told reporters "The right way to proceed is to start with Security Council discussion." The Japanese government on 25 May (KST) began considering banning all exports to North Korea -- it already bars exports of luxury items and other goods to North Korea.
China stopped short of outright condemnation of North’s action, but did issue a statement that contained most direct criticism of North Korea since the Oct 06 nuclear test. Russia issued a statement condemning the North, but remained cautious. Both countries stated that they are opposed to the North Korean nuclear test and that the North should live up to its obligations of international agreements concerning denuclearization. Although both countries urged the international community to resolve the situation through talks and negotiations, they both acknowledged a new UNSC resolution, probably embedded with more sanctions, against North Korea seems to be inevitable.
Following the 25 May test, the US, UK, Australia, France, Germany, the UN, the EU, NATO and others throughout the international community also condemned the North’s activity. On 25 May (EDT), the UNSC held an emergency session and issued a statement calling the test a “clear violation” of UNSC Resolution 1718, which bans North Korea from any ballistic missile and nuclear activity. The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was "deeply disturbed" by North Korea's nuclear test and later issued a statement deploring it as a violation of UNSC resolutions. On 26 May (EDT) the UNSC’s five permanent members, along with Japan and the ROK, started a closed-door meeting to discuss the UNSC next course of action against North Korea.
North Korean Media Behavior. For the past 48hours, the North Korean media has behaved normally. There has been one follow-up reporabout the nuclear test in the past 48 hours –KCNA reported on 26 May (KST) that “a meeting of Pyongyangites was held at the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium Tuesday to celebrate the second successful nuclear test.” There has been only one report in the past 48 hours that dealt directly with the international reactions to the nuclear test – a 26 May (KST) Chosun Sinbo article urged the US for a bilateral talks with North Korea to “cut off the escalating cycle of tension.” During the same time period, the North Korean media has released two reports justifying the nuclear test, missile launches, and continued weapons development (aside from the Chosun Sinbo report mentioned earlier).
South Korean (the ROK) Reactions. Following the North Korean nuclear test, the ROK government immediately convened an emergency meeting of the NSC meeting and placed its military on high alert. The ROK President Lee Myung-bak said he was disappointed with the North and ordered complete readiness to counter any additional provocations from the communist nation. At the end of the emergency NSC meeting, the ROK government issued a statement strongly denouncing North Korea's nuclear test as a "serious threat and challenge" to the international community.
The National Defense Committee of the ROK National Assembly adopted a resolution on 25 May (KST) urging governments around the world to take prompt and stern countermeasures against North Korea's latest nuclear test. The parliamentary committee said that Pyongyang must assume full responsibility for all incidents arising from its provoation.
The ROK government also banned its citizens from visiting North Korea, with the exception of those involved with the Kaesong Industrial Complex. The ban also applies to humanitarian aid workers, politicians and civic activists.
On 26 May (KST), the ROK government declared its decision to fully participate in the PSI. President Obama welcomed the decision during a telephone call with President Lee stating that South Korea’s membership is very important and that every other member state will welcome the decision as well.
To confirm that the North indeed detonated a nuclear device, the ROK military started to take air samples on 26 May (KST). A ROK defense ministry official said, “We expect it will be at least a few days before we can confirm that North Korea indeed detonated a nuclear device."
Japanese Reaction. Following the North’s test, the Japanese government set up a special task force at the emergency management center of Prime Minister Taro Aso's office.
In New York, Yukio Takasu, Japan's UN ambassador, met with the Russian ambassador and requested an emergency meeting of the UNSC.
In Hanoi, the Japanese Foreign Minister Nakasone sought China's support for Japan’s push to produce a UNSC resolution, and gained the ROK Foreign Minister’s agreement that the two countries “"call for the U.N. Security Council to convene an emergency meeting on the issue as early as possible."
During a telephone conversation between Prime Minister Aso and President Obama, the two leaders agreed that the UNSC must swiftly adopt a new resolution to impose “additional sanctions” on North Korea. Two leaders also agreed to encourage China and Russia to cooperate in adopting a new, fresh UNSC resolution.
On 26 May (KST), the Japanese House of Representatives unanimously endorsed a resolution at a plenary session condemning North Korea’s nuclear test, slamming it as an “act of violence.” The Japanese ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner, the New Komeito Party, issued a joint statement calling on the Japanese government to put forth efforts in seeking the passage of a new UNSC resolution and to impose additional unilateral sanctions on North Korea. The Diet resolution claims that “repeated nuclear tests by North Korea are a grave challenge to the international nonproliferation regime and are entirely unacceptable.” The House of Councilors is expected to adopt a similar resolution soon.
In an effort to confirm the North’s claim of its nuclear test, the Japanese Defense Ministry reportedly dispatched aircraft to take air samples from the sky over Japan.
Chinese Reaction. The Chinese government remained fairly muted about the North’s reported nuclear test; however, in contrast to the 05 Apr rocket launch, it released an official statement via its Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 25 May (KST) expressing its dismay about the latest North Korean action. The statement stopped short of an outright condemnation, but it was the harshest and most direct criticism of North Korea since the nuclear test in Oct 06. In the statement, China stated that it is in “resolute opposition” to the test, and that it “strongly demands that North Korea abide by the non-nuclearization commitments, stop related actions that may lead to further deterioration of the situation.” The statement also urged “all parties concerned to respond calmly.”
On 26 May (KST), the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said that China has directly “conveyed its position” to North Korea and that “China has been maintaining contact throughout with all relevant parties.” At a press briefing, a Chinese foreign ministry official stated that China will demand that North Korea fulfill the obligations it assumed during the Six-Party Talks on its nuclear program. The official stated that the Chinese side hopes that all the parties will work with China on “solving this problem by peaceful means through dialogue and negotiation.” These comments reiterated the Chinese foreign ministry’s official statement released a day earlier.
Russian Reaction. Reacting to the reported nuclear test, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on 25 May (KST) that North Korea has violated the UNSC Resolution 1718 and that the North’s nuclear tests have dealt a serious blow to the international efforts to strengthen the Nuclear NPT. The Russian State Duma deputies told Interfax on 25 May (KST) that the UNSC should apply economic sanctions against North Korea. The Chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee stated, however, that the security issue with North Korea should only be handled through talks. Along the same line, the Russian Foreign Ministry told Itar-Tass that Russia has urged other countries “not to go off into hysterics” or “overreact” in connection with the nuclear test.
On 26 May (KST), the Russian Foreign Ministry told Itar-Tass that Russia believes a new UN resolution on North Korea should not envisage an international isolation or blockade of North Korea. On the same day, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Borodavkin said Russia will not use “unilateral sanctions of any kind” against North Korea. He also stated that Russia believes that there is still a chance for North Korea to return to the Six-Party Talks. The Russian President’s Office, on the other hand, issued a statement on 26 May (KST) condemning the North’s nuclear test.
United Nations Reaction. Over the past 48 hours, the US, UK, Australia, France, Germany, the EU, NATO, and others throughout the international community also condemned the North's activity. On 25 May (EDT), the UNSC held an emergency session and issued a statement calling the test a “clear violation" of UNSC Resolution 1718, which bans North Korea from any ballistic missile and nuclear activity. The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was "deeply disturbed" by North Korea's nuclear test and later issued a statement deploring it as a violation of UNSC resolutions. On 26 May (EDT) the UNSC’s five permanent members, along with Japan and the ROK (dubbed P5+2), started a closed-door meeting to discuss the UNSC course of action against North Korea. As of the time of this report’s publication, the UNSC P5+2 had concluded its first meeting and the US UN Ambassador Susan Rice said the P5+2 had “very good, productive, initial talks” on the draft resolution against North Korea. The Japanese UN Ambassador Takasu told the reporters after the meeting that “there is a strong understanding” that the 15-nation council will send “a strong message” to North Korea.
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