Neighboring nations of North Korea have mobilized scientists and military experts to determine the extent of the rogue nation’s nuclear ability and whether the third nuclear test was as successful as claimed.
North Korean officials claimed a test of a “smaller and light A-bomb, unlike the previous ones, yet with great explosive power,” according to a CBS report. But the details of the outcome of test are not clear, and military analysts are suggesting that Tuesday’s detonation at an underground site is only the first of other planned tests. Why? North Korea warned Tuesday’s test was only its “first response” to what it termed as recent threats from the West, CBS said.
Foreign Ministry spokesmen promised “second and third measures of greater intensity” if Western powers, and specifically, U.S. officials, continued with criticisms, CBS reported.
Meanwhile, South Korea is on military alert, and has sent specialists to collect air samples that can be analyzed for radiation levels, according to the CBS report. Japan is also on alert; the nation sent fighter jets right after the detonation to collect air samples and has since set up coastal monitoring posts, CBS said.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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