S. Korea boosts military readiness, surveillance after Pyongyang’s hydrogen bomb test

[Thunder Bolt]

South Korea’s military has increased its monitoring of North Korea after the state claimed a successful test of a miniaturized hydrogen device. Meanwhile Japan said Pyongyang’s latest nuclear test poses a threat to its national security.
READ MORE: North Korea claims fully successful ‘miniaturized hydrogen bomb’ test

Seoul has denounced the hydrogen bomb test as a violation of UN Security Council resolutions, claiming that it will seek to cooperate with regional partners and make North Korea pay a price for its provocation.

"North Korea's provocation is in clear violation of Security Council resolutions and a serious challenge to international peace and security," Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam said during an emergency meeting of ministry officials, according to Yonhap.

READ MORE: N. Korea could have up to 20 nuclear warheads – Chinese sources

Meanwhile President Park Geun-hye is chairing an emergency National Security Council session. The Bank of Korea has also convened an emergency meeting of the monetary policy board.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also condemned the developments, making it clear that Tokyo will “absolutely” not tolerate threats against its national security and would issue a firm response to North Korea's challenge against nuclear non-proliferation.

In a “special and important” announcement at noon, North Korean TV claimed that the country had successfully detonated a miniature hydrogen bomb, marking the country’s fourth known nuclear test. The announcement followed the detection of an “artificial seismic event” in the vicinity of a known Pyongyang nuclear site.

While the announcement of the latest North Korean nuclear test has not yet been confirmed, the White House has condemned any possible violations of UNSC resolutions dealing with Pyongyang's nuclear activities.

"While we cannot confirm these claims at this time, we condemn any violation of UNSC resolutions and again call on North Korea to abide by its international obligations and commitments," White House National Security Council spokesperson Ned Price said.

"We have consistently made clear that we will not accept it as a nuclear state," Price said. He added that the US will continue to defend its allies in the region, including South Korea, and the US "will respond appropriately to any and all North Korean provocations."

S. Korea boosts military readiness, surveillance after Pyongyang’s hydrogen bomb test — RT News