WORLD> Asia-Pacific
US 'gravely concerned' by DPRK test claim
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-05-25 14:17

WASHINGTON - The United States is gravely concerned by North Korea's statement to have conducted a nuclear test, is still analyzing the data and is consulting members of the UN Security Council on "next steps," a US State Department official said on Monday.

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"We are gravely concerned by the DPRK's claims. We are analyzing the data. The (US) Geological Survey confirmed that a seismic event took place consistent with a test," said a US State Department official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

"We are consulting with our six-party and UN Security Council partners on next steps," the official added. Under the so-called "six-party" talks among the DPRK, the ROK, China, Japan, Russia and the United States.

The DPRK said it successfully conducted a nuclear test on Monday. Russia's military has detected the DPRK's nuclear test, Itar-Tass news agency quoted a source in Russia's defence ministry as saying on Monday.

"Our domestic systems registered the DPRK holding a nuclear test," Tass quoted the unidentified defence ministry official as saying. "We are establishing the force of the nuclear blast."