North Korea says blast was demolition

North Korea says last week's explosion in a remote northern area was part of a hydro-electric project. The BBC quoted the North's Foreign Minister, Paek Nam-sun, as telling visiting British official Bill Rammell that the blast was the deliberate demolition of a mountain for the project.

South Korean officials confirmed indications of a large explosions in the region bordering China but there has been no explanation by the North's official media of the explosion.

Initial reports of a possible nuclear test had been questioned by South Korean and US officials who said there was a lack of signature signs.