North Korea appears to have conducted its third nuclear test on Tuesday morning, defying multiple UN Security Council resolutions. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported seismic activity near the Punggye-ri test site, the location of the previous two nuclear tests. The reported 5.1 magnitude seismic disturbance took place at a depth of about 1 kilometer, according to the USGS.
CTBTO Executive Secretary Tibor Tóth released a statement saying, "Today our monitoring stations picked up evidence of an unusual seismic event in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). The event shows clear explosion-like characteristics and its location is roughly congruent with the 2006 and 2009 DPRK nuclear tests."
NTI, in partnership with James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies, offers extensive web resources for reporters looking for background and information on North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile programs. Coverage from Global Security Newswire, produced by National Journal, is also listed.
Statement from NTI Co-Chairman Sam Nunn
Overview of North Korea WMD Programs
Overview of North Korea’s Nuclear Weapons Program
Overview of North Korea's Ballistic Missile Program
Interactive Map of North Korea’s Nuclear-Related Facilities
Listing of its WMD-Related facilities
Status of Non-Proliferation-Related Treaties
Annotated North Korea Nuclear Chronology (lengthy PDF)
GSN Coverage:
"North Korea Carries Out Third Nuclear Test," 2/12/2013
"N. Korean Atomic Trial Seen Furthering ICBM Work," 2/12/2013
"Curb Needed on N. Korean Access to Plutonium Program Materials: Experts," 2/12/2013
"White House: North Korean Test Will Not Change SOTU," 2/12/2013
See all North Korea coverage by GSN
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To speak to an NTI expert about the North Korean test, contact Cathy Gwin at (202) 454-7706 or [email protected].