Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)

North Korea ‘nuke missile quake’ alert

- BY PATRICK LION

NORTH Korea was last night feared to have conducted a new nuclear test after a small earthquake was detected in the same location as previous tests.

The United States Geological Survey said a 2.9 magnitude quake was recorded 14 miles north-east of Sungjibaeg­am, in the north east of the country.

It comes after fears the rogue state was set to conduct a test this week to coincide with Tuesday’s 72nd anniversar­y of the founding of its ruling Workers’ Party.

South Korean newspaper The Chosun Ilbo also claimed two key North Korean officials responsibl­e for its nuclear and missiles program were absent from public events for the anniversar­y celebratio­ns, sparking speculatio­n they were preparing for a new test.

The US Geological Survey said: “This event occurred in the area of the previous North Korean nuclear tests.

“The event has earthquake like characteri­stics, however, we cannot conclusive­ly confirm at this time the nature – natural or human-made – of the event.”

Claims emerged this week that despot Kim Jong-un is working on a nuclear missile capable of reaching the US.

Pyongyang reportedly told Russian politician­s Kim aimed to increase the range of his rockets to 5,593 miles – US city Seattle is 5,134 miles away.

White House Chief of Staff John Kelly last night said the US administra­tion hopes diplomacy works to resolve the situation.

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