CNN is reporting a mysterious cloud in North Korea that may or may not be the result of a nuclear test.
A large cloud appeared over North Korea in satellite images several days ago, but a U.S. official told CNN it is “no big deal” and not the result of a nuclear explosion.
South Korea’s Yonhap news agency is reporting a mushroom cloud over two miles (4 km) wide and a massive explosion in North Korea’s northernmost province on September 9 — the 56th anniversary of North Korea’s founding.
South Korea’s Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said Sunday the government was aware of the reports and is checking them.
The U.S. official said the cloud could be the result of a forest fire.
None of North Korea’s known nuclear sites are in the country’s northernmost provinces.
However, The New York Times Saturday reported that President Bush and his top advisers recently received intelligence reports that could indicate North Korea is preparing a nuclear test, citing senior officials with access to the intelligence.
With so little definate, I’ll refrain from comment at this time other than to say I doubt little will be made known about this any time soon. I also note that the American official suggests forest fire while CNN’s URL includes “blast.”