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Russia says DPRK blast had 20 kilotonne force

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-05-25 14:56

MOSCOW - Russia's military said on Monday that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK's) nuclear test had a force of about 20 kilotonnes, Itar-Tass quoted a source in Russia's defence ministry as saying.

Related readings:  US 'gravely concerned' by DPRK test claim  SKorea, Japan pursue UN punishment against DPRK nuclear test  UN Security Council to meet on DPRK test  Russia: DPRK nuke test 'evokes concern'

A kilotonne is equivalent to 1,000 tonnes of TNT.

An unidentified source in Russia's foreign ministry called for calm and warned against hysteria after the blast, Tass reported.

The U.N. Security Council would meet on Monday to discuss the DPRK's nuclear test, Russia's U.N. ambassador Vitaly Churkin was quoted as saying by Itar-Tass news agency.