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Some X users are speculating that an earthquake detected near the Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site in North Korea might have been an underground nuclear test. However, there are no confirmations from North Korea, neighboring countries, the US, or allies of Washington to confirm or deny this report. 

The Korea Meteorological Administration, South Korea’s meteorological service, posted on X early Saturday morning that an earthquake was detected in North Korea (translated by Google):

“[Earthquake Information] 07-27 12:50 Area 42km north-northwest of Gilju, Hamgyeongbuk-do, North Korea Magnitude 2.9 Instrument seismic intensity: Maximum seismic intensity Ⅰ.”

[지진정보] 07-27 12:50 북한 함경북도 길주 북북서쪽 42km 지역 규모2.9 계기진도 : 최대진도 Ⅰ pic.twitter.com/RhyeRUS6YF

— 기상청 지진화산정보서비스 (@KMA_earthquake) July 27, 2024

After the KMA Earthquake’s post, X user OSINTdefender said, “A 2.9 Magnitude Earthquake was registered in North Korea a few minutes ago, almost right next to the Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site.”

A 2.9 Magnitude Earthquake was registered in North Korea a few minutes ago, almost right next to the Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site. https://t.co/qmNUuRPVVj

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) July 27, 2024

OSINTdefender wrote in several posts:  

“North Korea always seems to do their Nuclear Tests during Major International Events, so it would make sense if this is a Test that they decided to do it during the Olympics.”

North Korea always seems to do their Nuclear Tests during Major International Events, so it would make sense if this is a Test that they decided to do it during the Olympics.

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) July 27, 2024

“Though if this was a Nuclear Test it wasn’t a big one, for comparison their last Nuclear Test in 2017 caused a 6.1 Magnitude Earthquake, with it believed to have been upwards of a 250 Kiloton Bomb.”

Though if this was a Nuclear Test it wasn’t a big one, for comparison their last Nuclear Test in 2017 caused a 6.1 Magnitude Earthquake, with it believed to have been upwards of a 250 Kiloton Bomb.

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) July 27, 2024

“This Area of North Korea is also prone to Natural Earthquakes as well, with a 2.4 Magnitude Earthquake near the Punggye-ri Site in January believed to have been Natural.”

This Area of North Korea is also prone to Natural Earthquakes as well, with a 2.4 Magnitude Earthquake near the Punggye-ri Site in January believed to have been Natural.

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) July 27, 2024

Seoul-based freelance journalist Raphael Rashid said, “2.9 earthquake detected moments ago in North Korea 41.30 N 129.13 E which corresponds almost exactly to the Punggye-ri nuclear test site.” 

2.9 earthquake detected moments ago in North Korea 41.30 N 129.13 E which corresponds almost exactly to the Punggye-ri nuclear test site, https://t.co/opD1dZ66cx

— Raphael Rashid (@koryodynasty) July 27, 2024

Given the coordinates (41.30 N 129.13 E) from Rashid, the location of the quake compared with the nuclear test facility is about a 31-minute car drive. Also, this nuclear test site is North Korea’s only one and was the location of the 2006, 2009, 2013, January 2016, September 2016, and September 2017 nuclear tests. 

Here’s what some X users are saying about the report:

Who’s gonna stop them? pic.twitter.com/Yh3qcU4gy1

— Baron Lords (@LordsBaron) July 27, 2024

This will just be the beginning of the ramping up of behavior until the election.

— Matt Burke (@Matt_Burke_) July 27, 2024

I don’t see it on the USGS map

— P3Guy😷🛩️🌪️⛑️🪖🇺🇸 (@JMooreP3) July 27, 2024

*Developing…