The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said on Tuesday it has successfully conducted the third underground nuclear test, according to the official KCNA news agency.

The test was part of the country's "practical measures of counteraction" to defend its security and sovereignty against hostile USpolicies, which it claimed have violated DPRK's "rights to launch satellite for peaceful purposes," the KCNA said in a statement.

The KCNA also said the test was done in a "safe and perfect" way with a smaller and light A-bomb unlike the previous ones, yet with great explosive power.

The statement has finally confirmed the conjecture of the international community that linked an earthquake occurred Tuesday in the DPRK with Pyongyang's plan for a fresh nuclear test, which has been strongly opposed.

The UN Security Council is scheduled to meet in an emergency meeting on Tuesday to discuss the situation, diplomatic sources told Xinhua.

Earlier, the DPRK vowed to proceed with missile and nuclear tests targeting the United States, its "sworn enemy," after the UN Security Council adopted a resolution to condemn its Dec. 12 rocket launch.

Pyongyang conducted similar nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009.

Commentary

Time to address root causes of nuclear crisis on Korean Peninsula

In reality, the DPRK's defiance was deeply rooted in its strong sense of insecurity after years of confrontation with South Korea, Japan and a militarily more superior United States.

World Reactions

South Korea

DPRK's nuke test to have limited impact on S.Korean economy
Nuclear test conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will have a limited impact on the South Korean economy as market participants are accustomed to the geopolitical risk given the past experiences, the finance ministry said Tuesday.

S. Korean gov't condemns DPRK nuke test, steps up surveillance 
The South Korean government condemned the widely anticipated nuclear test by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Tuesday, calling it a "clear violation" of UN resolutions.

"North Korea (DPRK) will not be able to avoid being held accountable for (the test)," national security adviser Chun Yung-Woo told reporters after an emergency security meeting presided over by President Lee Myung-bak.

S. Korean Defense Ministry believes DPRK conducts nuke test

The South Korean Defense Ministry believed that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has conducted a nuclear test on Tuesday, a local TV station reported.
The report from local TV "Channel One" came shortly after a 5.1-magnitude earthquake was detected in the DPRK, a potential sign that the country has finally undertaken its third nuclear test.

Japan

Japan mulls unilateral sanctions on DPRK 

The Japanese Defense Ministry said Tuesday that it will fly military jets to survey radiation over the country after an "artificial quake," possibly a nuclear test, was detected in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), local media reported.

Abe said in lower house separately that Japan will seek close communication with the United States, South Korea and China on the issue, adding Japan is mulling imposing unilateral sanctions on the DPRK.

DPRK's nuclear test 'regrettable': Japanese PM 

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Tuesday that the nuclear test conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is "regrettable," and Japan strongly protests against it, local media reported.

China

China opposes DPRK's nuclear test, says statement

China "resolutely" opposes the latest nuclear test conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK),said a statement issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday.

The DPRK said on Tuesday it has successfully conducted the third underground nuclear test, according to the official KCNA news agency.

US

Obama slams DPRK nuke test "highly provocative"
US President Barack Obama condemned the nuclear test conducted Tuesday by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) as "highly provocative," while urging for "further swift and credible action" by the international community.

Australia

Australia condemns DPRK's nuclear test

The Australian government condemns in the strongest possible terms the nuclear testing by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Prime Minister Julia Gillard said in a statement on Tuesday.

In this statement, Gillard said that Tuesday's nuclear test is consistent with the DPRK's dangerous nuclear ambitions.

New Zealand

New Zealand condemns reported DPRK nuclear test

The New Zealand government Tuesday condemned the reported nuclear test by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said the DPRK continued to blatantly defy United Nations Security Council (US) resolutions, which was "of deep concern and represents a significant threat to peace and security in the region."

UN

UN council to meet on DPRK nuclear test

The UN Security Council is scheduled to meet in an emergency meeting on a nuclear test conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Tuesday morning, diplomatic sources told Xinhua Monday night.

Global Times Special Coverage: DPRK Military Power