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By Rachel Lee
North Korea is expected to conduct additional nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests to complete the development of an ICBM with a hydrogen bomb warhead capable of striking targets on the U.S. mainland.
Pyongyang claimed Sunday it successfully conducted an H-bomb test, just a few hours after the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) announced the development of such a weapon that could be mounted on an ICBM.
North Korea has so far launched ICBMs twice, July 4 and 28, claiming both tests were successful. But outside experts still raise questions about whether the North has secured core technologies such as reentry capability to make operational ICBMs.
Though Pyongyang claimed its detonation of a hydrogen bomb for an ICBM was successful, experts are also doubtful about the credibility of such a claim. With questions regarding its capability, Pyongyang is highly likely to continue conducting H-bomb tests and ICBM launches to complete their development.
The KCNA said North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited the country's nuclear weapon research center to inspect an H-bomb and Pyongyang had successfully completed a "more developed" nuke, which could be a "turning point" for the country's "nuclear weaponization."
All the components of the H-bomb were home-produced and all the processes from the production of nuclear materials, precision processing of components and assembly were done on a "juche basis," which will enable the country to produce as many powerful nuclear weapons as it wishes, the KCNA reported. Juche is an ideology meaning "self-reliance."
It also said nuclear scientists and experts have further upgraded the H-bomb's technical performance on the basis of a previous test.
The new H-bomb can be detonated at high altitudes for electromagnetic pulse attacks, it added.
Kim ordered the nuclear institute to put maximum efforts to complete the final research and development stage for the country's nuclear weapons.
A 5.7 magnitude artificial earthquake recorded in the Punggye-ri area at around 12:29 p.m. was presumed to be from the sixth nuclear test, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
North Korea has carried out five nuclear tests since 2006, including two last year. It is banned by the United Nations from conducting any nuclear or missile technology tests.
North Korea tested two ICBMs in July, which experts view put much .of the U.S. mainland within range including Los Angeles.
When North Korea conducted its first test in October 2006, a 3.6 magnitude reading was detected, while the second in May 2009 registered at 4.5 on the scale. A seismic event with a magnitude of 4.9 was detected in the third test in February 2013.
