Earlier in the day, North Korea announced on its state-run broadcasting channel that North Korea’s “first hydrogen bomb test was successfully conducted”.
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In December, North Korea’s youthful leader Kim Jong Un was quoted by the North Korean state news agency as saying that the hermit nation had developed a hydrogen bomb that uses fusion, in addition to fission, to unleash its destructive energy.
The US Geological Survey measured an quake with a magnitude of 5.1 – bigger than the three previous bombs in 2013, 2009 and 2006. The regime in Pyongyang has often launched missiles or conducted nuclear tests to raise tensions as it seeks economic and political concessions from South Korea and the U.S.
A successful H-bomb test would be a big new step for the North. Fusion is the main principle behind the hydrogen bomb, which can be hundreds of times more powerful than atomic bombs that use fission.
South Korea suggested its rival may face further United Nations sanctions as a result.
Although the miniaturised bomb would be North Korea’s fourth nuclear test, it could be its first hydrogen weapon – marking a significant advance in its technology and attack capabilities.
Washington and nuclear experts have been skeptical about past North Korean claims about H-bombs, which are much more powerful and much more hard to make, than atomic bombs.
The U.S. said it could take days to confirm whether North Korea successfully tested a hydrogen bomb.
Hammond, who is visiting China, said in a statement that he discussed the matter with his Chinese counterpart, Yang Jiechi.
University student Ri Sol Yong, 22, said, “If we didn’t have powerful nuclear weapons, we would already have been turned into the slaves of the U.S”.
Several UN resolutions ban the reclusive North from any nuclear activity or ballistic missile technology. Some outside analysts speculated Kim was anxious about deteriorating ties with China, the North’s last major ally, which has shown greater frustration at provocations and a possible willingness to allow stronger United Nations sanctions.
The areas included Yanji, Hunchun and Changbai in Jilin province, it added – some of the counties closest to the North’s nuclear test site. North Korea claimed in 2013 that it had scrapped the 1953 armistice that ended fighting in the Korean War.
He calls on North Korea to abide by its worldwide obligations and commitments and said the USA consistently made clear that it will not accept North Korea as a nuclear state and will continue to defend US allies in the region.
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Registered as magnitude 4.3 by the Korea Meteorological Administration, the quake was detected just after 10am local time and followed by an official broadcast by North Korea’s state news agency, KCNA, at 12 noon. Rubio also listed China and Russia’s growing militaries, Iran, and ISIS, which can often dominate national security discussions, in the foreground of the national security landscape.
