On January 6, North Korea successfully tested a miniaturized hydrogen nuclear device, according to the state broadcaster, KCTV.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un © Kyodo / Reuters
North Korea’s state news agency later stressed in a statement that Pyongyang will continue to build up its nuclear program as deterrence against potential aggression from the United States. The statement further underscored that North Korea will act as a responsible nuclear state, and will use its nuclear armament only to defend its sovereignty. North Korea also vowed that it will not transfer its nuclear capabilities to other parties.
If true, this is the first such device fielded by Pyongyang.
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) said in a statement on Wednesday that seismic activity in North Korea took place near the country’s nuclear test site. Initial estimates gave readings measuring between 4.2 and 5.1 magnitude. A nuclear bomb test in the same area in 2013 triggered a 5.1-magnitude quake.
This is the fourth such test by North Korea since 2006.
#NEWSGRAPHIC How to detect a nuclear explosion #NKorea pic.twitter.com/shvCBGAp3N
— Agence France-Presse (@AFP) 6 января 2016