FOI, using a mobile system for the collection of radioactive xenon, have found air samples taken in South Korea to contain this particular noble gas. FOI’s measurements were a contributing input to South Korea’s official announcement that the explosion that took place on 9 October was a nuclear test.

In connection with North Korea’s alleged nuclear weapon test on 9 October this year, FOI offered equipment and expert assistance to South Korea in order to clarify whether the explosion was in fact a nuclear weapon test or not. 

A mobile system for the collection of radioactive xenon was immediately flown to South Korea and, within three days of the explosion, experts from FOI were able to commence the collection of air samples in the region. 

The samples were returned to Sweden and analysed in FOI’s laboratory in Kista. All the samples were found to contain radioactive xenon and, in combination with meteorological information, FOI were able to conclude that the gas did, with a relatively high level of probability, originate from the area in North Korea where the explosion took place. FOI’s measurements were a contributing input to South Korea’s official announcement that the explosion that took place on 9 October was a nuclear test.
For the purpose of gathering further measurement data, a stationary version of the SAUNA system was then transported to South Korea. For the time being, this system continues to be used for the measurement and analysis of air samples.

SAUNA has been developed at FOI and a commercial version has been developed in collaboration with the Uppsala company Gammadata AB.

For further information, please contact:
Anders Ringbom, Deputy Research Director, FOI, 08-555 034 49, 070-927 70 03, anders.ringbom@foi.se

Johan Axell, Director of Communication, FOI, 08-555 030 18, 070-277 03 62, johan.axell@foi.se