North Korea Claims First Hydrogen Bomb Test

North Korean university student Ri Sol Yong: “Thanks to the fact that our country is a nuclear weapons state, I can study at the university without any worries”. State media later crowed that its “H-bomb of justice” lets it stand firm against USA aggression.

The US said it was too early to verify North Korea’s claim but vowed to “respond appropriately” to “any and all provocations”.

Albright said he believed Pyongyang had the capability to miniaturise a warhead for shorter missiles, but not yet for intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the US. Yonhap news agency reported that quake-monitoring agencies detected magnitudes of seismic activity of 3.7 in 2006; 4.5 in 2009 and 4.9 in 2013.

China said it firmly opposed the test, which it said took place “irrespective of the worldwide community’s opposition”.

“The Philippines is gravely concerned over reports that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) tested a hydrogen bomb”, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement.

Troops in South Korea have swarmed the border following reports of the hydrogen bomb test. The anchor said the move was necessary to stay safe against the US, which has a number of nuclear weapons.

“Let the world look up to the strong, self-reliant nuclear-armed state”, Kim Jong Un said in a hand-written note that was displayed on state TV following the test. According to North Korea’s claims, the device in question was a small hydrogen bomb.

After its last nuclear weapon test three years ago, North Korea claimed the rocket launch was part of a scientific mission to put a satellite into orbit. Despite that, China remains the North’s most important important ally and trade partner.

For years, the world has been trying to bring North Korea to the table to talk disarmament, but with little success. But there is a growing debate on just how far the North has advanced in its secretive nuclear and missile programs. To build a credible nuclear program, the North must explode new nuclear devices – including miniaturized ones – so its scientists can continually improve their designs and technology.

The country added that it would continue to strengthen its nuclear programme in order to protect itself against the hostile policies of the United States.

“This act constitutes a breach of the universally accepted norm against nuclear testing”, Lassina Zerbo, head of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO).