SEOUL, South Korea (Reuters) — South Korea said on Wednesday (September 13) traces of radioactive xenon gas were confirmed to be from a North Korean nuclear test earlier this month, but it was unable to conclude whether the test had been for a hydrogen bomb as Pyongyang claimed.
North Korea conducted its sixth nuclear test on September 3, prompting the United Nations Security Council to step up sanctions with a ban on the reclusive regime’s textile exports and a cap on fuel supplies.
The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission said its land-based xenon detector in the northeastern part of the country found traces of xenon-133 isotope on nine occasions, while its mobile equipment off the country’s east coast detected traces of the isotope four times.
