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US 'gravely concerned' by DPRK test claim

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-05-25 14:17

WASHINGTON - The United States is gravely concerned by North Korea's statement to have conducted a nuclear test, is still analyzing the data and is consulting members of the UN Security Council on "next steps," a US State Department official said on Monday.

Related readings:  North Korea fires short-range missil-Yonhap  SKorea, Japan pursue UN punishment against DPRK nuclear teste  Russia says DPRK's nuclear test 'evokes concern'  Obama envoy warns DPRK on nuke test

"We are gravely concerned by the DPRK's claims. We are analyzing the data. The (US) Geological Survey confirmed that a seismic event took place consistent with a test," said a US State Department official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

"We are consulting with our six-party and UN Security Council partners on next steps," the official added. Under the so-called "six-party" talks among the DPRK, the ROK, China, Japan, Russia and the United States.

The DPRK said it successfully conducted a nuclear test on Monday. Russia's military has detected the DPRK's nuclear test, Itar-Tass news agency quoted a source in Russia's defence ministry as saying on Monday.

"Our domestic systems registered the DPRK holding a nuclear test," Tass quoted the unidentified defence ministry official as saying. "We are establishing the force of the nuclear blast."