N. Korea nukes more powerful, experts say

The U.S. intelligence community believes that North Korea tested a nuclear device last month with an explosive yield of several kilotons, considerably more powerful than its first test nearly three years ago.

In a brief statement, the office of Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair said, "The U.S. Intelligence Community assesses that North Korea probably conducted an underground nuclear explosion in the vicinity of P'unggye on May 25, 2009. The explosion yield was approximately a few kilotons. Analysis of the event continues."

May's nuclear test was the second conducted by the North Koreans. The first in October 2006 had a yield of approximately a half-kiloton. At the time, U.S. officials and independent experts considered the test somewhat of a failure.