North Korea: Conducts Sixth Nuclear Test With A Hydrogen Bomb.
South Korea calls for tougher UN sanctions, further isolation of NorthTrump tweets: N Korea is a rogue nation, great threat, embarassment to China
North Korea has carried out its sixth nuclear test - the most powerful blast to date - drawing the ire of the international community as the standoff with the United States continues to intensify.
The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the hydrogen bomb test on Sunday morning, ordered by leader Kim jong-un.
It was Pyongyang's first nuclear test since US President Donald Trump took office, and marked a direct challenge to Trump, who hours earlier talked by phone with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe about the"escalating" Nuclean crisis in the region.
Later on Sunday reporters asked Trump whether he would attack North Korea in response. "We'll see," replied the US president.
The nuclear test at 03:30 GMT was carried out to "examine and confirm the accuracy and credibility" of North Korea's technology, KCNA said.
The news agency hailed the bomb's "unprecedentedly large power", saying it "marked a very significant occasion in attaining the final goal of completing the state nuclear force".
Pyongyang earlier on Sunday reported details of its latest weapon, claiming it has developed a more advanced nuclear bomb that can be loaded onto an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
The hydrogen bomb's power is adjustable to hundreds of kilotons and can be detonated at high altitudes, with its indigenously produced components allowing the country to build as many nuclear weapons as it wants, KCNA said.
Pyongyang started nuclear blast experiments in 2006.
In July, Pyongyang test-launched two ICBMs that are believed to be capable of reaching the mmainland US.
The latest test took place in breach of UN sanctions and further increased tensions between Pyongyang and the United States and its allies.
There was no independent confirmation that the detonation was a hydrogen bomb.
International condemnation followed swiftly.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in called for the "strongest" response and further steps to isolate North Korea, including new UN Security Council sanctions, according to Yonhap state news agency.
"Those sorts of calls are likely to face strong resistance from countries such as Russia and China," Hay said.
"Since the test was confirmed, the defence ministry has called for a strong military response. That does not necessarily mean it is calling for a direct attack on North Korea by South Korea and the United States, but it wants a show of force ... to show North Korea it has the ability to strike its missile and nuclear facilities if it chooses to do so in the future."
China, North Korea's main ally and economic supporter, strongly condemned the test.
Pyongyang "has ignored the international community's widespread opposition, again carrying out a nuclear test. China's government expresses resolute opposition and strong condemnation toward this", the foreign ministry said in a statement on its website.
China's Nuclear Safety Administration said it had begun emergency monitoring for radiation along the border after the test.
"On the very day that North Korea carried out this test, President Xi Jinping was hosting an economic forum in the Chinese city of Xiamen attended by leaders of 10 countries. Although North Korea is not on the agenda of the BRICS summit, I think it's fair to assume that the actions of North Korea would have been on the minds of many leaders and many officials."
Russian, meanwhile, called for calm as it criticised Pyongyang.
"In the unfolding conditions, it is imperative to remain calm and to refrain from any actions that lead to a further escalation of tension," a foreign ministry statement said.
US President Trump, writing on Twitter, said Pyongyang's "words and actions continue to very hostile and dangerous to the United States.
"North Korea is a rogue nation which has become a great threat and embarrassment to China, which is trying to help but with little success."
This is dummy text. It is not meant to be read. Accordingly, it is difficult to figure out when to end it. But then, this is dummy text. It is not meant to be read. Period.
ConversionConversion EmoticonEmoticon