North Korea conducted its most powerful nuclear test yet on Friday morning, triggering a magnitude 5.3 earthquake and sparking alarm from neighbouring countries.
According to South Korea, the test gave an estimated yield of 10 kilotonnes – higher than any previous detonations and only slightly weaker than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Its power suggests North Korea have made significant advances in nuclear technology, despite condemnation and sanctions from the United Nations.
South Korean President Park Geun-hye said it showed the “maniacal recklessness” of leader Kim Jong-un, calling it a “grave challenge” to the international community. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was quick to offer support to South Korea, saying Japan absolutely “cannot condone” any such test and that he would “protest adamantly” to Pyongyang.
Friday is North Korea’s National Day, marking 68 years since the country’s birth. Kim Jong-un traditionally uses national holidays to showcase the country’s military strength, with the test marking the next stage of Jong-un’s plan to develop North Korea’s military strength.
Consequences
Japan have called for an emergency meeting of the UN security council, with the US saying there will be “serious consequences” for North Korea’s actions.
However, the next move will be difficult. Sanctions are already in place against North Korea and any further may cause serious damage to the economy and the civilian population.
Whilst China agreed to impose tougher sanctions after the fourth nuclear test in January, tensions between China and the US are continuing to grow over the US’s influence in Asia. Serious damage to a strong power such as North Korea may well leave a power vacuum that the US and China will fight to fill.
North Korea’s nuclear strategy
Friday’s nuclear test was the most powerful by far, at around 10 kilotonnes; in comparison, January’s test stood at between 6 – 8 kilotonnes.
In a statement, North Korea said advancements meant the country could employ “at will, and as many as it wants, a variety of smaller, lighter and diversified nuclear warheads of higher strike power” for use on ballistic rockets.
A recent series of ballistic missile launches and aggressive actions have angered neighbouring Asian countries like Japan and South Korea.