North Korea claims to have successfully tested a hydrogen bomb, the country's sixth-ever test of a nuclear weapon and first since US President Donald Trump took office.
The test was a "Perfect success" and the final step in attaining "State nuclear force," long-time news anchor Ri Chun Hee said in a televised announcement Sunday.
The news report claimed the weapon was designed to fit atop an intercontinental ballistic missile, and follows two successful tests of the long-range missile in July.
Experts say it is nearly impossible to verify with certainty Pyongyang's claim that it detonated a hydrogen bomb, which is also known as a thermonuclear weapon, or whether it can actually be used successfully on a missile. Thermonuclear weapons typically use a fission explosion to create a fusion reaction, which is far more powerful than a fission reaction.
The South Korean President's chief security adviser, Chung Eui-yong, said South Korea will seek diplomatic measures to "Completely isolate" its northern neighbor.
China, North Korea's only real ally and patron, said its neighbor "Disregarded universal opposition of the international community" by conducting the test." Ref. CNN.
President Trump says North Korea's test of a hydrogen bomb is "Very hostile and dangerous to the United States". President Trump responded to North Korea's latest nuclear test with a series of tweets in which he dubbed North Korea a "Rogue nation" and said its "Words and actions continue to be very hostile and dangerous to the United States." He also criticized South Korea's handling of the North Korean crisis, tweeting: "South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing!" Ref. USAToday.
Yes the fact that this last test was a thermonuclear test shows that he now has a very powerful weapon in his hands. This weapon can level large cities and cause massive deaths. I have a feeling that some one needs to take this ability away from him sooner rather than later as I have a feeling that he will attack us or South korea with this weapon of mass destruction.
The problem is, like Russia recently, they know that no one will actually take any real action against them for fear of what we will be returned afterwards. Nuclear deterrents are all good and well, but when they are in the hands of a madmen they become the bully on the playground who's dad is the local sheriff, they can run riot and no one dare's do anything to stop them. Problem is on the world stage standing up to a bully is a very dangerous proposition, hence why he is super confident that no one will interfere with what he is doing…
International Level: New Activist / Political Participation: 11 1.1%
US Defense Secretary James Mattis vowed "A massive military response" to any threat from North Korea against the United States or its allies. He delivered the statement outside the White House after a meeting with President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and top national security advisers Sunday.
Mattis said Trump wanted to be briefed on each of the "Many military options" for dealing with the North Korean nuclear threat.
Mattis called on North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to "Take heed" of the UN Security Council's unanimous position against North Korea's nuclear program and again stressed the US military's position.
"We are not looking to the total annihilation of a country, namely North Korea, but as I said, we have many options to do so," Mattis said.
President Donald Trump warned earlier that the United States was considering stopping trade with any nation doing business with North Korea as a way of dealing with the nuclear threat from Pyongyang.
If carried out, that option could mean a halt to US trade with China, which has supported economic sanctions on North Korea but remains the key economic partner for the rogue nation. Ref. CNN.
Yes we need to get tougher with those that are still supporting North Korea as nothing will work as long as they are still being able to trade for the stuff they want and get it. China is helping them more than many believe. I wonder if China has a motive for this help and wants North Korea to start a war with the west.