Kim Jong-un says North Korea has the H-Bomb

“We’ve managed to become a major nuclear power capable of defending our homeland’s national independence and dignity by powerful nuclear and hydrogen attacks”, the North Korean leader said during an inspection at a military base, the state news agency reported.

Those tests resulted in some of the litany of sanctions that make North Korea one of the poorest and most isolated countries in the world, but at this point it’s nearly as though that’s exactly what they want.

North Korea has hinted at having stronger weapons in the past, but Kim’s remarks are believed to be the first that explicitly mentions a hydrogen bomb.

Song told Choe that China “attaches great importance” to the visit by the North Korean band and its concerts in Beijing, calling their performances a “stage of China-North Korea friendship”.

Hydrogen bombs, or H-bombs, are even more powerful than atomic weapons because they gain their detonating powers from nuclear fusion.

The country has conducted three nuclear tests since 2006, but none more recently than 2013. And it has repeatedly threatened to destroy the South, as well as the United States.

South Korean Deputy Unification Minister Hwang Boo-gi is expected to meet Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea Deputy Executive Secretary Jeon Jeong Soo in the Kaesong border town. The band is seen playing in front of frenzied North Korean military audiences; behind the girl group is a large screen, showing videos of missile launches and of Kim Jong Un.

The U.S. State Department repeated a call on North Korea to comply with its worldwide obligations and abandon all nuclear weapons.

An expert who spoke to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency responded skeptically.

At the time, many observers ridiculed the claim by North Korea, which often uses bombastic assertions to increase leverage over its enemies in negotiations or to burnish its image at home.

On February 10, 2005, North Korea declared it had created nuclear weapons.

Though the agenda for the talks has not been disclosed, the two neighboring arch-foes are believed to have discussed regular reunions for the families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War, and the resumption of tours to North’s picturesque Mount Kumgang resort, which Seoul suspended in 2008 after a North Korean guard shot and killed a female tourist.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Huan Chunying added they hope concerned effort will be made to bring peace and stability. “Their goal could be to pressure the worldwide community”.

“It’s hard to regard North Korea as possessing an H-bomb”.

Using satellite imagery, the IAEA had observed renovation and construction activity at the main Yongbyon plant, which appears to be consistent with the country’s own statements that it is further developing its nuclear capabilities, said Yukiya Amano, the director general of the IAEA.