South Korea Defence Research Facility Blast Kills One

Defence officials in South Korea say one person has been killed and five others injured in an explosion at a weapons research institute. The blast happened during testing of artillery shells. Media in South Korea had earlier said at least 60 people had been injured but officials then checked the reports. The blast occurred in Pocheon, about 45km (30 miles) northeast of the capital, Seoul, and 30km from the North Korean border. "There was an explosion when our people were testing a fuse for shells," a defence agency spokeswoman told AFP news agency. She added the institute was trying to determine the cause of the blast. At least two of those injured are in critical condition, officials said.