Antinuclear

No radiation detected from North Korea’s nuclear test. Australia suspends NK embassy

North Korea nuclear test: No radiation detected, BBC News, 14 Feb 13, Tensions between the two Koreas are high in the wake of Tuesday’s nuclear test. South Korean experts say they have not detected any radioactive isotopes from North Korea’s nuclear test, hampering efforts to assess the device. Eight samples had been analysed but nothing found, the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission said.

Finding certain isotopes – xenon gases in particular – would help experts determine whether a plutonium or uranium-based device was used.But a well-contained test could yield no radioactive isotopes, experts say.

South Korean planes and ships were sent out immediately after the test to collect samples, as was a Japanese plane.

“Two days since the North’s nuclear test, the commission has completed analysing eight samples, but no radioactive isotopes have been discovered as of 15:00 Thursday,” the commission said.

No changes had been recorded at 122 unmanned radiation monitoring systems across the country, it added…… The Australian government, meanwhile, has also decided to postpone a visit by North Korean diplomats exploring the possibility of reopening an embassy in the capital, Canberra, this weekend, because of the test.

“We postponed the arrival of North Korean diplomats in Australia as a gesture following this detonation,” Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr said.

He however added that there are still plans to re-establish the embassy, saying that “there’s value in having a North Korean diplomatic presence here”.

North Korea closed its embassy there in 2008 due to financial issues. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21455080

February 15, 2013 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | General News