North Korea has announced it has successfully carried out a hydrogen bomb test, marking the fourth such test in recent years.

The test using a hydrogen bomb, which is more powerful than plutonium weapons used in the three previous underground tests, resulted in an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.1.

In response to the nuclear test, Japanese officials have promised a harsh response to Pyongang. Meanwhile, South Korea is holding an emergency meeting to determine an appropriate response to North Korea’s actions.

However, the United States has said that it would take days to confirm whether Pyongang did indeed conduct a hydrogen bomb test. A hydrogen bomb is hundreds of times more powerful than the atomic bombs that were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 by the United States.

In an announcement on North Korean state television, Pyongyang said that the test was aimed to “counter nuclear threats by the US”. Experts say the test could allow North Korea to build a nuclear warhead that could reach the West Coast of the United States.

The previous test carried out by North Korea was in 2013. The aftermath of that test saw more sanctions and strong condemnation from countries across the world, including China.

---

Subscribe to our newsletter

---