North Korean authorities say they have successfully tested a hydrogen bomb amid reports of a tremor near the main nuclear test site. State media announced the test after monitors detected a 5.1 magnitude quake close to the Punggye-ri site.
The North is thought to have conducted three previous underground nuclear tests there since 2006. A hydrogen bomb uses fusion to create a blast far more powerful than that of a more basic atomic bomb. Strong reaction started pouring after the North Korean announcement of the hydrogen bomb test with South Korea saying it was a serious challenge to global peace and a violation of UN Security Council resolutions. British Foreign Secretary said any nuclear test would be a grave breach of UN Security Council resolutions.
After previous tests, the international community has responded with economic and political sanctions. Japan has condemned North Korea’s announcement of carrying out a hydrogen bomb test today.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe termed it a serious threat to Japan and a grave challenge to nuclear non-proliferation efforts. Abe suggested that the UN Security Council would take up the case as it violates past sanction resolutions. China’s Foreign Ministry said today that Beijing did not have advance knowledge of North Korea’s test of a miniaturized hydrogen nuclear device, adding that it firmly opposes Pyongyang’s action. Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a news briefing that China would work with the international community on the decentralization of the Korean peninsula.
Meanwhile United States today vowed to respond appropriately to North Korea’s provocations of carryinig out a hydrogen bomb test US State Department Spokesman John Kirby said in a statement. The US, however, said it cannot confirm the claim of North Korea having tested a hydrogen bomb. The statement further said the US condemns violation of UN Security Council Resolutions and again calls upon North Korea to abide by its international obligations and commitments. France today condemned North Korea’s reported test of a hydrogen bomb, calling for a strong reaction from the international community. A statement issued by President Francois Hollande’s office called the reported test an unacceptable violation of UN Security Council resolutions.
The United Nations Security Council will hold an emergency meeting today in New York after North Korea claimed it had carried out a successful hydrogen bomb test, diplomats said. The closed-door morning talks between the 15 member Security Council meet were called by the United Nations and Japan. While we cannot confirm at this time that a test was carried out, we condemn any violation of UNSC Resolutions and again call on North Korea to abide by its international obligations and commitments, US mission spokeswoman Hagar Chemali said.