WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- The White House said Monday the United States received word from China of North Korea's intent to conduct a nuclear test minutes ahead of the reported event.
According to spokesman Tony Snow, North Korea had called its ally China to advise them on the imminent explosion at about 9 p.m. EST Sunday. China in turn notified the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, which relayed the message to Washington.
Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice received notification about 9:45 p.m. and notified national security adviser Stephen Hadley. Hadley called President George W. Bush at about 9:52 p.m.
South Korean authorities said they felt the seismic tremor from an apparent explosion in North Korea in about the same time frame of Hadley and Bush being notified.
The North Korean test, if confirmed, comes just days after Pyongyang announced its intention to conduct a test despite international opposition and amid the prospect of sanctions for its continued refusal to suspend nuclear enrichment programs and negotiate ending its nuclear weapons program.
