Nuke arms race 'unlikely' in Northeast Asia: Experts

TOKYO: The Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) nuclear test is unlikely to spark a nuclear arms race in Asia, but analysts say Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) may seek to beef up their missile defenses and pre-emptive capabilities against Pyongyang.

Pyongyang's second nuclear test came weeks after it fired a long-range rocket that flew over northern Japan, a clear message that the DPRK is developing a nuclear weapon and the means to deliver it.

But analysts say the DPRK's actions are defensive, while its neighbors are already under a US deterrent.