North Korea detonated a hydrogen bomb that can be mounted on an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in its sixth nuclear test conducted Sunday, according to claims from its state media.
The (North) Korean Central News Television (KCTV) said the test of the missile-capable H-bomb was a "complete success."
The announcement came after the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected a 5.7-magnitude earthquake around 12:29 p.m. at North Korea's nuclear test site in Punggye-ri, Kilju-gun, North Hamgyong Province. It said the event was an artificial earthquake.
The explosion from the test was speculated to be in the 50 kiloton range at a maximum, exceeding the previous record of 10 kilotons measured during the country's fifth nuclear test in September 2016, according to experts.
This was the North's first nuclear test since President Moon Jae-in took office in May, meaning he faces greater risks in his steps to mend cross-border ties and resume dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
President Moon called for the "strongest measures" against the Kim regime in cooperation with the international community.
"I will not overlook North Korea's provocations, and will ensure that it will give up its nuclear and ballistic missile programs," he said during an emergency National Security Council (NSC) meeting at Cheong Wa Dae.
He called Sunday's test an "absurd mistake" that will accelerate the Kim regime's international isolation.
Moon urged Pyongyang to suspend its nuclear program and return to dialogue, saying, "It must learn that nukes and missiles can't guarantee its survival and development."
The JCS immediately ordered all military units to maintain an elevated readiness posture.
"We're closely monitoring the North Korean military's activities jointly with the U.S.," an official said.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), the detected artificial seismic event was 11 times more powerful than that caused by the North's fourth nuclear test in January 2016, and five to six times that of the fifth test in September 2016.
Several military experts agreed, saying the explosive force of Sunday's test was twice that of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Japan, during World War II.
"This test has completely changed the rules of the game regarding security on the Korean Peninsula," said Bareun Party lawmaker Kim Young-woo, who chairs the National Assembly National Defense Committee. "Pyongyang crossed the red line by carrying out missiles tests with various ranges and then conducting its sixth nuclear test."
But a Cheong Wa Dae official remained skeptical over whether North Korea has crossed a red line, saying, "It is uncertain whether Pyongyang has fully acquired the capability to miniaturize its nuclear warheads."
"Controversy also remains over whether Pyongyang's ICBMs can safely re-enter space and strike targets accurately," the official said on condition of anonymity.
In August, Moon warned that North Korea would be crossing a red line if it weaponized nuclear warheads.
Meanwhile, top national security advisers, as well as the JCS chairmen of South Korea and the U.S., had telephone conversations with their respective counterparts to discuss possible countermeasures.
JCS chiefs -- Gen. Jeong Kyeong-doo and Gen. Joseph Dunford -- agreed to "take military measures at the earliest possible date," according to military officials here.
The foreign ministers of South Korea and Japan shared thoughts on the "serious nature of North Korea's most powerful nuclear test" and how they can resolve the issue through diplomatic channels, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon asked all Cabinet ministries to "thoroughly deal with" the sixth nuclear test and ensure that it will not affect the security and livelihood of the people as well as the country's economy.
National Assembly Speaker Chung Sye-kyun is expected to put forward a motion condemning the North Korean nuclear test, Monday.
In an explanation of the test results, Pyongyang's Nuclear Weapons Institute stated that there was no leak of radioactive materials or other side effects on the ecosystem
It claimed in a statement carried by KCTV that the purpose of the test was to revise and ensure "accuracy and reliability" of newly developed technology related to the power and design of the H-bomb.
The North's Korean Central News Agency reported earlier Sunday that its leader had praised his scientists for developing an H-bomb successfully.
/Rep. Kang Ji Hyun
kbs1345@naver.com
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