PYONGYANG, (ST)-The People’s Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK) has announced that it has successfully tested a hydrogen bomb, according to the North Korea’s Central News Agency, (KCNA).
“Through the test conducted with indigenous wisdom, technology and efforts the DPRK fully proved that the technological specifications of the newly developed H-bomb for the purpose of the test were accurate and scientifically verified the power of the smaller H-bomb,” a statement by the DPRK government said on Wednesday.
“It was confirmed that the H-bomb test, conducted in a safe and perfect manner, had no adverse impact on the ecological environment,” the statement added, noting that the test means a higher stage of the DPRK’s development of nuclear force.
Democratic Korea stressed that the reason for the test was an act of self-defense from its enemies, and promised not use nuclear weapons if the international community respects its sovereignty, according to the statement.
Following the announcement, the government of South Korea immediately declared a state of emergency in the country.
The explosion resulted from the test was initially detected as a 5.1 magnitude earthquake by the US Geological Survey.
Hamda Mustafa