South Korean Military Raise Doubts Over North Korea’s Claim Over ‘Successful’ Hydrogen Bomb Test
North Korea claimed Wednesday that it has conducted a "successful" hydrogen bomb test, however, South Korean military seemed to skeptical over Pyongyang's assertion. Korea Times reported Thursday that the military thought that the explosive power used at Sungjibaegam nuclear site was too small to justify that a hydrogen bomb was tested.
CNN noted Wednesday that "a hydrogen bomb is more powerful than plutonium weapons." The North Korea reportedly used plutonium weapons in conducting its three nuclear tests in 2006, 2009 and 2013.
"If there's no invasion on our sovereignty we will not use nuclear weapon," a state-run news agency stated. "This H-bomb test brings us to a higher level of nuclear power."
If proven true, the conduct of hydrogen bomb test could result to more stern actions from the international community against North Korea, which is already under the United Nations sanctions after conducting three nuclear tests.
Meanwhile, South Korea said it aims to seek for further sanctions against its rival for their grave provocations.
"The North should pay the price and UN Security Council sanctions along with a firm response from allies are necessary," South Korean President Park Geun Hye said during a National Security Council session in Seoul.
She went on, "North Korea will have to pay the corresponding price for this nuclear test. This is not only a serious provocation to our security but related to the survival of our people and our future and is a frontal challenge to international peace and security."
On the other hand, the National Security Office condemned North Korea for allegedly performing a hydrogen bomb test.
"The government strongly condemns that North Korea carried out a fourth nuclear test despite repeated warnings from South Korea and the international community, and in clear violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions," Deputy Director Cho Tae Yong said, as reported by Yonhap News Agency Thursday.
He called on North Korea to "scrap all its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs completely, verifiably and irreversibly."
