PH alarmed at North Korea’s reported H-bomb

Officials and analysts in South Korea cast doubt Wednesday on the North’s claim that it had detonated a hydrogen bomb for the first time, saying seismological data from the impact was more in keeping with that of an atomic device.

The test follows leader Kim Jong-un’s claims last month that the country was in possession of its first H-bomb.

Hydrogen bombs, H-bombs, thermonuclear bombs and fusion bombs can be thousands of times more powerful than atomic bombs, atom bombs, A-bombs, or fission bombs. “The DPRK’s nuclear test, if confirmed, is in clear violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions and is deeply regrettable”, Yukiya Amano, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said in a statement, using the initials for the North’s formal name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

The United Nations calls these bombs the “most dangerous” weapons in the world, and warns they have the possibility to kill millions, destroy cities and the environment, and cause “long-term catastrophic effects”.

“And that really only leaves talking to North Korea, which clearly, I think the North Koreans would like”, Chinoy said.

The U.N. organization tasked with monitoring the treaties against nuclear tests picked up unusual seismic activity at a facility where North Korea had successfully tested nuclear technology in February 2013.

The Foreign Secretary said he condemns without reservation the move, which the country announced in a state broadcast.

In a statement, North Korea’s state news agency said it will not give up its nuclear programme as long as the United States maintained what it called “its stance of aggression”.

There was a time when it looked like China might finally get exhausted of North Korea’s provocations and bluster and throw them under the bus.

North Korea’s boast that it had “proudly joined the advanced ranks of nuclear weapons states” also came ahead of Kim Jong-un’s birthday this Friday.

China, Australia and France have strongly condemned North Korea’s announcement of a nuclear test.

Traditionally China has supported the expansion of sanctions against its ally and neighbour North Korea over nuclear tests and missile launches, though it has pushed hard to ensure the measures are not what it considers excessively harsh.

No H-bomb has been used in a conflict so far, but the world’s nuclear arsenals are comprised for the most part of such weapons.

– June 13, 2009: North Korea says it will start enriching uranium, a possible second route to manufacture nuclear weapons in addition to a plutonium-based program at its reactor.

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.

Some experts’ very early assessment was that North Korea’s device may not have been a true hydrogen bomb, and might instead have been a simpler fission device that had been “boosted”.

The areas on the border included Yanji, Hunchun and Changbai in Jilin province, it added – some of the counties closest to the North’s nuclear test site.

Yun said the test could make North Korea feel more secure and emboldened in trying to negotiate on the world stage.

“We have been continuously warning that (North Korea) will pay a price for conducting a nuclear test”.

“It is also a grave threat to worldwide peace and security”.