WASHINGTON The Bush administration confirmed on Monday for the first time that North Korea conducted an underground nuclear test last week. The office of National Intelligence Director John Negroponte said radioactive
materials found in air samples confirmed the test.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice expressed concern that North Korea might be planning a second test. “We’re watching it,” she told reporters. “I hope they would not take such a provocative act.”
In a statement, Negroponte’s office said the blast was small by standards of nuclear tests; less than 1 kiloton. Each kiloton is equal to the force produced by 1,000 tons of TNT. The bomb the United States dropped on Hiroshima was 15 kilotons.
The confirmation came as Rice prepared to visit Japan, South Korea and China this week to try to shore up efforts by Asian allies to punish North Korea.
A United Nations Security Council resolution passed Saturday calls for nations to prevent North Korea from buying or selling specified weapons and technology. The measure also bans some luxury goods from North Korea and freezes funds outside the country that are associated with weapons programs.