Ryanggang explosion

The suspected explosion occurred near Wŏltan Workers' District (Wŏltal-lodongjagu) (41°19'47"N 127°05'02"E) in the county of Kimhyŏngjik in Ryanggang Province, a mountainous region, about 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) above sea level.

[2] The incident was not reported internationally until 12 September 2004, when the South Korean news agency Yonhap cited a source in Beijing, China, which said a mushroom cloud had been observed.

However, North Korean news is usually a method employed by governing figures to make the ruling party's decisions more favourable to the people (national and internationally); therefore, unfavourable stories are commonly not broadcast.

When prompted for an explanation, North Korea's foreign minister, Paek Nam-sun, officially stated that the explosion "was in fact the deliberate demolition of a mountain as part of a huge hydroelectric project".

North Korea announced on 13 September 2004 that the British ambassador, David Slinn, would be permitted to visit the site.

Diplomats from the United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland, Russia and Mongolia visited what was purported to be the site on 16 September 2004, and reported having seen a hydroelectric project under construction.

North Korea was insisting on a delay before a fourth round of talks, citing recently revealed South Korean nuclear research programs.

As of this date, analysts believed North Korea had ruled out further talks until after the United States presidential election in November 2008.