Hours after a huge seismic event was detected near North Korea’s nuclear test site, the country announced it had successfully carried out its fifth test of a nuclear device.
South Korean President Park Geun-hye said the act showed the “maniacal recklessness” of leader Kim Jong-un.
North Korea claimed the test had been of a “newly developed nuclear warhead” and that they now have the capabilities to mount a nuclear device on ballistic rockets.
President Obama promised “serious consequences” in response to North Korea’s “provocative actions” according to Press Secretary Josh Earnest.