Bomb Test: South Korea Resumes Propaganda Broadcasts

The test has again raised questions among world powers about what can be done to stop the North’s nuclear weapons program. “And we agreed and respected to give them space to be able to implement that”.

“Today, in my conversation with the Chinese, I made it very clear that has not worked and we can not continue business as usual”, Kerry said.

Chinese officials are also shifting the blame to Obama, condemning North Korea’s nuclear provocations and telling CNN they believe the USA could be exerting more influence on North Korean leader Kim Jong Un if it wanted to, since Kim has long sought direct communication with Washington.

The ministry also said there had been no government decision on what North Korea needed to do to end the propaganda broadcasts.

North Korea announced on Wednesday it carried out its fourth nuclear test since 2006, drawing threats of more sanctions, although United States and weapons experts doubted Pyongyang’s claim that the device was a hydrogen bomb.

However, he said Thursday that the approach was no longer welcomed by the United States.

Chinese spokeswoman Hua said in response that the origin of the nuclear issue did not lie with China. However, the call had been delayed due to China’s “internal scheduling”, it said, citing an unnamed official.

Seoul said the test was a “grave violation” of an August agreement that ended earlier loudspeaker broadcasts.

North Korea boosted troop deployments in front-line units on Friday, and South Korea heightened military readiness to its highest level at locations near the loudspeakers. The worldwide community has rushed to verify the accuracy of the North Korea’s claim.

Kerry said he and Wang agreed to work closely to determine what measures could be taken given increasing concerns about the nuclear test. He said America has a “firm and continued commitment to regional security and global nonproliferation”.

In 2005, North Korea reached an agreement with the United States, South Korea, China, Japan and Russian Federation to suspend its nuclear program in return for diplomatic rewards and energy assistance. “Exclusively depending on Beijing’s pressure to force the North to give up its nuclear plan is an illusion”, it said. But debate is growing on just how far the North has advanced.

Nancy Pelosi, the House Democratic leader, told reporters that Democrats would support a North Korea bill likely to be brought for a vote by Republicans next week.

North Korea called the device the “H-bomb of justice”, but its state news agency also said it would act as a responsible nuclear state and would not use its nuclear weapons unless its sovereignty was infringed. A congressional source said it was expected as soon as Monday. South Korea stopped earlier broadcasts after it agreed with Pyongyang in late August on a package of measures aimed at easing animosities that had the rivals threatening war.

– Seismic stations in the U.S., Europe and South Korea detect an natural disaster near an area where North Korea had conducted its three previous nuclear tests.

The United States and China have both dangled the prospect of better ties, including the lifting of sanctions and eventually a likely peace treaty, if North Korea gives up its nuclear weapons. South Korean military banned foreign media from the border ahead of the broadcasts.

North Korea said Wednesday it had successfully tested a “miniaturized” hydrogen bomb that elevated the country’s “nuclear might to the next level”.

Ministry officials refused to elaborate about what US military assets were under consideration, but they likely refer to B-52 bombers, F-22 stealth fighters and nuclear-powered submarines.