“North Korea has been warned against conducting a second test of a nuclear weapon, as the US said expectations of a new test happening were “reasonable”.”

“Last Updated: Tuesday, 17 October 2006, 14:25 GMT 15:25 UK

N Korea warned over second test

North Korea has been warned against conducting a second test of a nuclear weapon, as the US said expectations of a new test happening were “reasonable”.

“It would not be a good thing for them, but it certainly would not be out of character,” the White House said.

France said it would demand an even stronger response than the UN sanctions imposed after the first 9-October blast if the North carried out a new test.

North Korea has dubbed those sanctions a declaration of war, state media says.

Pyongyang also warned of “merciless” blows against any country infringing on its sovereignty, the official KCNA news agency reported.

On Monday, US intelligence officials confirmed for the first time that last week’s underground explosion had been nuclear. “