North Korea carries out fifth Nuclear test, world leaders criticise

Seoul: As North Korea successfully carried out its fifth nuclear test, on Friday, its leader Kim Jong was criticised worldwide. The South Korean President, Park Genun-hye, called it an act of ‘self destruction’ and ‘mental recklessness’ .

Park said, “The test was a ‘grave challenge’ to the international community that would ‘only earn more sanctions and isolation’ for North Korea.”

"Such provocation will further accelerate its self-destruction," she stated.

South Korea's military has suggested that the explosive yield of this blast could be almost twice that of the previous nuclear test. The analysts have also expressed fears that this could mean the North is a step closer to having a usable nuclear weapon.

The Nuclear test:

• North Korea, on Friday morning, declared that it has successfully carried out its fifth nuclear test.
• The announcement was made hours after a huge seismic event was detected near the country’s underground nuclear test site. The test was first assumed to be an Earthquake of magnitude of 5.3.
• The North Korea after the test said, that it was done to examine a newly developed nuclear warhead. The weapon is now capable of mounting a nuclear device on ballistic rockets, stated the North leader.

Criticisms worldwide:

• China's foreign ministry criticised the step taken by leader Jong-un and said, “Beijing was resolutely opposed to the test and urged North Korea to avoid further action that would worsen the situation.”
• Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stated that his country cannot condone any such test and would protest against the wrongdoing of the Korean nation.
• "North Korea's nuclear development is becoming a grave threat to Japan's safety and severely undermines the peace and safety of the region and the international community," he said.

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United States promises protection to Asian countries:

• The United States also condemned the nuclear test and warned the Korean nation of serious consequences.
• The US President Barack Obama indicated that that he would continue to consult the allies and partners of the United States to ensure that the provocative actions from North Korea are met with the serious consequences.
• The White House said “President Barack Obama had reiterated the unbreakable US commitment to the security of our allies in Asia and around the world".