Radioactive materials found in air samples confirm North Korea’s underground nuclear explosion; Global eyes watch China’s response.

The doubt surrounding North Korea’s recent claim to have conducted an underground nuclear explosion has been put to rest. U.S. intelligence has confirmed that air samples taken last week contain radioactive material consistent with a nuclear explosion. While the explosion itself was small, it set off global outrage at the defiant North Korean government.

North Korea has adamantly defended its right to not only procure nuclear weapons, but test them as well.

On October 9 North Korea carried out tested an underground nuclear explosion around P’unggye. Since that test, the world’s leaders have scrambled to come up with the proper course of action to take against North Korea. Amid calls for sanctions and resolutions and possible military action, the U.N. passed a unanimous call for North Korea to eliminate their nuclear weapons program, but has ruled out any military action if they refuse.

North Korea’s closest ally now faces the challenge of living up to a U.N. resolution they helped pass. Chinese customs inspectors have stepped up their patrols on cargo trucks heading to North Korea of trucks heading for North Korea. China has expressed  a patience with North Korea that has frustrated many other nations.

The six nation talks that involved South Korea, Japan, China, Russia, the United States and North Korea have stalled in large part due to the attitude of China and Russia. North Korea left the talks after expressing outrage with the sanctions imposed on their country by the United States. Both China and Russia have refused to threaten North Korea with military action, insisting on a peaceful resolution.

North Korea has expressed a strong desire to speak directly with the United States, an act the US has refused, claiming its commitment to the six party talks that have stalled.