Defiant North Korea conducts nuclear test (Jack Kim)

  by Jack Kim

  Oct. 9, 2006 -- SEOUL (Reuters) -- North Korea said it conducted an underground nuclear test Monday, defying a warning from the U.N. Security Council and opening its crippled economy to the risk of fresh sanctions.

  South Korea put its troops on heightened alert after the announcement, which came just minutes before Japanese Prime Minister Shinto Abe landed in Seoul for a visit. The move could heighten regional tension and deal a fresh foreign policy blow to President Bush ahead of mid-term elections.

  The White House branded the act "provocative" and said it expected the U.N. Security Council to take immediate actions.

  Bush planned to make a statement on North Korea at 9:45 a.m. EDT (1345 GMT), the White House said.

  Long Pyongyang's chief ally, China denounced the "brazen" act, urging it to avoid action that could worsen the situation, and Russian President Vladimir Putin also condemned the test.

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