Kim Jong-un claims North Korea has developed a hydrogen bomb

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said that North Korea possessed both atomic and hydrogen bombs.

But outside experts are skeptical of the boast, which Kim apparently made while visiting Phyongchon Revolutionary Site, a museum dedicated to the exploits of his grandfather Kim Il-Sung.

A report on 38 North, a North Korea monitoring website run by Johns Hopkins University’s school of advanced global studies in Washington, said the images showed significant construction since April at Punggye-ri, on North Korea’s east coast, where three previous nuclear tests were conducted. Frequently the North has been threatening to destroy the South.

Earlier this year, it said it had successfully miniaturized a nuclear warhead to mount on a ballistic missile – a claim disputed by US and South Korean experts.

Earlier in 2006, 2009 and 2013, North Korea had made attempts to test nuclear devices.

The International Atomic Energy Agency in September suggested that North Korea did appear to be strengthening its nuclear program, although it had not been allowed access to the nuclear facilities.

Hydrogen bombs are the most powerful devices ever created.

South and North Korea will hold high-level talks on Friday expected to cover various issues, including family reunions and the resumption of a suspended joint tour programme, officials said on Thursday.

“Many experts doubt that North Korea may even have a serviceable nuclear warhead that can be delivered to a target. I think it seems to be developing it”, Lee said, according to a report by South Korea’s Yonhap news agency Thursday. But analysts were highly doubtful of Kim Jong Un’s latest bellicose claim, saying the young leader appeared primarily concerned with trying to bolster his legitimacy. The visit comes on the same day that the eccentric leader announced that North Korea possesses a hydrogen bomb.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Huan Chunying said situation on the Korean peninsular is fragile, complex and delicate as well.

“We hope that all sides can do more to maintain peace and stability there”, Hua added.

But Lassina Zerbo, of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization, said: “I’m tempted to believe it’s just a bluff to put pressure on the worldwide community to resume discussion with them”. “Their main aim is to demand the worldwide community to recognize the country as a nuclear state, and to further stress they will not abandon the nuclear weapons”.