President Park Geun-hye on Wednesday called North Korea‘s claimed hydrogen bomb test a “grave provocation” and warned Seoul and the international would not condone it.

Park presided over the National Security Council over North Korea’s claim to have successfully conducted a hydrogen nuclear bomb test to discuss measures.

While further analysis is needed to evaluate Pyongyang's claim for a successful test, Park said the latest provocation could bring important changes in the security of the Northeast Asia region.

She said that the provocation was a serious threat to security and called on the nation to unite to deal sternly with it and put an end to all political bickering.

The foreign affairs and unification ministries entered emergency mode.

The Defense Ministry said it is working closely with the U.S. following the North’s announcement that came a few hours after the world’s seismic analysis centers reported a magnitude-5.1 artificial earthquake had occurred in the North.

The ministry also said the military will maintain stronger readiness and surveillance posture.

The North conducted underground nuclear tests in 2006, 2009 and 2013.

(khnews@heraldcorp.com)