Flashback: ‘North Korea’s H-bomb Claim Dismissed By US’

North Korea claimed Wednesday that it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb, a claim that, if true, would mark a huge step forward in its nuclear capability. “We’ve carried out a hydrogen bomb test,” a newsreader on the state-run Korean Central Television station announced in a special broadcast from Pyongyang. “North Korea was forced to develop its nuclear arsenal because of the U.S.’s hostile policy against North Korea,” she said. “However, as a peaceful nation and a nuclear powered-nation, North Korea will be a responsible state and will not use its nuclear power before [an attack] and will not transfer the technology to others.” There was some skepticism about the claim, with nuclear experts noting that the yield appeared to be similar to North Korea’s three previous atomic tests, rather than the “enormous” yield that would be expected if it had been a thermonuclear test. “We are aware of seismic activity on the Korean Peninsula in the vicinity of a known North Korean nuclear test site and have seen Pyongyang’s claims of a nuclear test,” said John Kirby, a spokesman at the State Department. “We are monitoring and continuing to assess the situation in close coordination with our regional partners.”

The country was “ready to detonate a self-reliant A-bomb and H-bomb”, state news agency KCNA quoted him as saying. If true, the development would mark a significant advancement in North Korean nuclear capabilities. But White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Washington’s evidence “calls into serious question” Pyongyang’s claim.