U.S. and S Korea pledge sanctions against N Korea

South Korea responded to North Korea’s nuclear test with broadcasts of anti-Pyongyang propaganda across the rival’s tense border Friday, believed to be the birthday of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

“The North’s fourth nuclear test is a wanton violation of its worldwide obligations… and a grave violation of the inter-Korea agreement of August 25”, the official said.

US Congressmen see forcing China to cut ties with North Korea would be a way to crack down on them after the test, and suggested sanctioning Chinese banks that do business with North Korea.

The 242-member chamber “lodges a serious protest” against North Korea and “strongly condemns” Wednesday’s test.

But the North is already under layers of sanctions imposed following its past missile launches and three nuclear tests, and analysts have questioned what real impact fresh penalties will really have.

The Alaska Earthquake Center says its equipment picked up seismic activity after North Korea’s claimed detonation of a hydrogen bomb Tuesday.

Diplomats said that could mean an expansion of sanctions against Pyongyang, although major powers might baulk at an all-out economic offensive.

British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond urged South Korea to show restraint, saying the country “is simply rising to the bait”, Reuters reported.

“A huge explosion occurred, and that should make all countries concerned”, Vice Admiral Joseph Aucoin, commander of the USA seventh fleet, told reporters aboard the aircraft carrier the USS Ronald Reagan south of Tokyo.

The test also alarmed Japan, and the White House said Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed with US President Barack Obama in a telephone call that a firm global response was needed.

People walk by a screen showing the news reporting about an quake near North Korea’s nuclear facility, in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016. As “Armenpress” reports, citing BBC, the move is expected to anger North Korea, which has reportedly moved more troops to the border region.

It is a psychological warfare campaign to heap pressure on the North. Ideological lessons about democracy, advertisement of South Korea’s developments, and criticism of North Korea’s regime, including Kim Jong-un are broadcasted.