North Korea: Hydrogen bomb may be tested in the Pacific, Ri Yong Ho says

NORTH KOREA’s Foreign Affairs Minister has warned the country’s next nuclear test may be closer than we think.

North Korea sparked global condemnation with another ballistic missile test last week. picture: KCNA/AP

NORTH KOREA could test a hydrogen bomb in Pacific Ocean, the country’s foreign minister has reportedly warned.

Ri Yong-ho revealed his country may consider carrying out the test, South Korea’s Yonhap News reported.

Ri said the potential test of “the most powerful detonation of an H-bomb” would be one possible “highest-level” action against the US.

Speaking to reporters in New York, Ri was asked what North Korean leader Kim Jong-un meant when he threatened in an earlier statement the “highest level of hard-line countermeasures in history” against the United States.

BREAKING: South Korean media report North Korean foreign minister has said country may test hydrogen bomb in Pacific.

— The Associated Press (@AP) September 22, 2017

He said his country could consider conducting a hydrogen bomb test but did not know Kim’s exact thoughts, according to Yonhap.

Ri reportedly added: “We have no idea about what actions could be taken as it will be ordered by leader Kim Jong Un.”

North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho flew to New York for the UN General Assembly. Picture: Mark Schiefelbein/AP

Such a test would be considered a major provocation by Washington and its allies.

However Dr Euan Graham, an expert in international Security Program at the Lowy Institute questioned if the information was based on intelligence.

Yes, it might. But is this based on intel? If not, why speculate? https://t.co/pXoGn9mM1n

— Euan Graham (@graham_euan) September 22, 2017

‘DERANGED, FRIGHTENED’

The apparent threat comes after Kim issued a rare statement calling US President Donald Trump “deranged” and warning he “pay dearly” for his threats.

In his maiden speech to the UN two days ago, Mr Trump said he would “totally destroy” North Korea if it attacked the US or one of its allies.

The comments did not go down well with North Korea and its leader.

“Far from making remarks of any persuasive power that can be viewed to be helpful to defusing tension, he made unprecedented rude nonsense,” Kim said today.

“A frightened dog barks louder,” Kim said. “He is unfit to hold the prerogative of supreme command of a country, and he is surely a rogue and a gangster fond of playing with fire.”

North Korea test launched a Hwasong-12 intermediate range missile in Pyongyang last month. Picture: KCNA/AP

North Korea sparked global condemnation conducted its sixth and largest nuclear test on September 3.

The North has launched dozens of missiles since Kim came to power in 2011 and 19 this year so far.

Two recent ballistic missiles flew over Japan as Pyongyang advanced toward its goal of creating nuclear warhead-tipped missiles that can hit the US.

Seoul’s spy agency also warned the North could launch an ICBM on a standard trajectory toward the Pacific Ocean around its founding anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea on October 10.

‘RED LINE’

Nuclear disarmament campaigner John Hallam said Mr Trump’s remarks at the UN General Assembly would make North Korea feel more backed into a corner.

He warned the comments were likely to cause conflict rather than bringing about a potential solution to the current crisis.

“It’s unlikely, though just possible, that the DPRK will in fact back down, and much more probable that he will do as he has done up to this point: Do precisely that which his interlocutor has forbidden him to do,” he said.

“The US having established a red line, the DPRK has always immediately crossed it.”

 Follow the latest updates on the North Korea crisis

- with wires