(Corrects time of seismic activity in second paragraph)
SEOUL, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Seismic activity has been detected in North Korea with an earthquake measuring 4.9 magnitude registered by the U.S. Geological Survey, in a move that South Korea said indicated that Pyongyang had carried out a third nuclear test.
The quake occurred at 11:57 a.m Korean time (0257 GMT) and South Korea's presidential office said that it was "likely" a nuclear test, according to the South's Yonhap news agency
North Korea is not prone to seismic activity.
The USGS said the epicentre of the quake, which was only one km deep, was close to the North's known nuclear test site.
The reclusive and isolated state, which is banned under United Nations Security Council resolutions from developing nuclear and missile technology, did not issue a statement and it was impossible to verify that it was a nuclear test. (Reporting by David Chance; Editing by Michael Perry)













We welcome comments that advance the story through relevant opinion, anecdotes, links and data. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of the Thomson Reuters Foundation. For more information see our Acceptable Use Policy.
comments powered by Disqus