North Korea conducts nuclear weapon testing

North Korea has released an official statement on Wednesday confirming that it has successfully conducted a hydrogen nuclear test amid reports of a massive earthquake near the nuclear testing site. The country claimed that testing was its “legal right” to ensure its defense against the United States.

The state-run Korean central news agency reported that a miniature nuclear device was tested at 10 a.m. local time following orders given by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Dec. 15. The test was conducted “safely and perfectly.”

“The republic’s first hydrogen bomb test has been successfully performed at 10 a.m. on January 6, 2016, based on the strategic determination of the Workers’ party,” the broadcast said. “With the perfect success of our historic H-bomb, we have joined the rank of advanced nuclear states.” The broadcast also claimed that there would be no need to use nuclear weapons if the country is not threatened by the United States.

Kim Jong-un revealed in December that North Korea is capacitated to launch a hydrogen bomb, which is more powerful than an atomic bomb but the claim was regarded with scepticism by other countries, including South Korea.

According to reports, North Korea claimed that it will not give up its nuclear weapon unless the US drops its hostile policies against it. The last nuclear test was conducted by the country in February 2013 and Wednesday’s test was the fourth in the line.

The nuclear test was condemned by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who said it was a threat to Japan’s security. He added that Japan will firmly respond to the move.

The CNBC reported that prior to the official announcement on the hydrogen bomb testing, the Korean Meteorological Administration said that the earthquake was almost certainly “man-made.” The China Earthquakes Networks Center, meanwhile, suspected that it was caused by some kind of “explosion.”

The Guardian reported that the US responded to the news by saying that though it cannot confirm whether a hydrogen bomb was detonated by North Korea, it condemns any violation of the UN Security Council resolution. According to the UN Security Council resolutions, North Korea is banned from conducting any nuclear missile testing.