North Korea confirms conducting nuclear test

North Korea confirms that it has conducted a successful "nuclear warhead explosion" test, saying it was meant to counter US hostility.

"Our nuclear scientists staged a nuclear explosion test on a newly developed nuclear warhead at the country's northern nuclear test site," a TV announcer said on Friday.

The confirmation came after South Korean authorities said they believed North Korea has conducted a fifth nuclear test — its biggest to date — following the detection of an “artificial earthquake.”

South Korea’s meteorological agency said the magnitude 5.3 quake was detected near North Korea’s Punggye-ri nuclear test site.

“The 10-kiloton blast was nearly twice the fourth nuclear test and slightly less than the Hiroshima bombing, which was measured about 15 kilotons,” said Kim Nam-Wook of South Korea’s meteorological agency.

Background on this from Katehon:

Although North Korea is under UN sanctions and officially forbidden to conduct such tests, Pyongyang demonstrates the highest expression of its sovereignty and does what it sees fit.

Katehon concludes that North Korea has made the right decision and has the full right to possess nuclear weapons, as does Iran.

The last nuclear test was observed in a celebratory tone by North Korean citizens, who took to the streets in cities of the country.