There has not yet been independent confirmation of North Korea’s claims, but geological monitoring confirmed a 5.1 magnitude quake 30 miles from Kilju city, near the Punggye-ri nuclear site.
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The U.S. says it may take days to confirm if North Korea’s claims are true.
Last month leader Kim Jong-un appeared to say that a hydrogen bomb had been developed by the reclusive nation but the United States and outside experts were sceptical.
Hydrogen or thermonuclear bombs can be thousands of times more powerful than atomic bombs.
In the past two years, North Korea refrained from nuclear tests limiting itself to ballistic missile launches as a response to South Korea’s and the United States’ large-scale military exercises.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said the UK’s “initial assessment” confirmed that Pyongyang had carried out a nuclear test, adding: “As to whether or not this is an H-bomb, we need to look at that more”.
– January 2016: North Korea says it successfully tests hydrogen bomb.
Tubby tyrant Kim Jong-un has long spoken of the need for his country to bolster its nuclear capabilities, saying it was needed to protect against “US aggression”.
In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it is concerned over the recent actions of North Korea. The diplomats said the meeting would likely be held behind closed doors.
South Korea President Park Geun-hye: “It’s not only [a] grave provocation of our national security, but also an act that threatens our lives and future”.
“International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Yukiya Amano: “[North Korea]’s nuclear test, if confirmed, is in clear violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions and is deeply regrettable. Another test would further North Korea’s global isolation by prompting a push for new, tougher sanctions at the United Nations and worsening Pyongyang’s already bad ties with Washington and its neighbours.
But North Korea’s claims could just be its latest exaggerations.
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For years, the world has been trying to bring North Korea to the table to talk disarmament, but with little success. North Korea goes to great lengths to hide its tests by conducting them underground and tightly sealing off tunnels or any other vents though which radioactive residue and blast-related noble gases could escape into the atmosphere.
