North Korea Stages Alleged Third Nuclear Test

Impact

The BBC reports that seismic activity with a unique signature suggests that Pyongyang has tested its third nuclear device, after detonating two prior in 2006 and 2009. Data from South Korea, the United States Geological Survey, China and Japan seems to confirm that the seismic activity was indeed caused by a test.

This comes almost two months after the launch of the Unha-3 rocket last December, when North Korea successfully launched a satellite in Space, and also stirred allegations that the same rocket could be adapted as an intercontinental ballistic missile, able to reach the United States.

In any case, Obama's speech is going to involve some last minute editing.