DHAKA: The announcement on state media came hours after a seismic event was detected near its nuclear test site.
South Korea believes it is the North’s biggest ever test, raising fears the state has made real nuclear advances.
South Korean President Park Geun-hye called it an act of ‘self-destruction’ showing the ‘maniacal recklessness’ of leader Kim Jong-un. The US warned of ‘serious consequences’.
China’s foreign ministry said Beijing was resolutely opposed to the test and urged North Korea to avoid further action that would worsen the situation, reports the BBC.
The North said the test had been of a “newly developed nuclear warhead” and that it was now capable of mounting a nuclear device on ballistic rockets.
South Korea’s military has suggested that the explosive yield of this blast could be almost twice that of the previous nuclear test.
Analysts have expressed fears this could mean the North is a step closer to having a useable nuclear weapon.
Park, who is cutting short an overseas visit, said the test was a ‘grave challenge’ to the international community that would “only earn more sanctions and isolation” for North Korea.
“Such provocation will further accelerate its path to self-destruction,” she said.
Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said his country “absolutely cannot condone” any such test and would “protest adamantly” to Pyongyang.
“North Korea’s nuclear development is becoming a graver threat to Japan's safety and severely undermines the peace and safety of the region and the international community,” he said.
The White House said President Barack Obama had spoken to both Park and Abe after the latest test.
A statement from press secretary Josh Earnest said Obama had “reiterated the unbreakable US commitment to the security of our allies in Asia and around the world”.
“The president indicated he would continue to consult our allies and partners in the days ahead to ensure provocative actions from North Korea are met with serious consequences.”
China’s foreign ministry statement read: “Today, [North Korea] again conducted a nuclear test despite widespread international opposition - the Chinese government firmly opposes the test.”
BDST: 1206 HRS, SEP 09, 2016
BD
