North Korea launched its fifth and largest nuclear test Friday, producing its biggest estimated explosive yield to date of 10 kilotons.
Residents of Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, are “delighted” by the country’s latest nuclear development, according to Politico. “It’s really great news,” Rim Jong Su, 42, told Politico. “Now, I am full of confidence that if the enemies make any little provocations we will make a counter attack and we will surely win.”
That is just under the explosive yield of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945, which produced 15 kilotons.
The test inspired a round of condemnation and calls to action. The United Nations security council denounced North Korea’s choice to continue its nuclear tests, while the U.S., Britain and France pushed for new sanctions. North Korea has deemed these sanctions “laughable,” according to the official KCNA news agency.
“Obama is trying hard to deny the DPRK’s strategic position as a legitimate nuclear weapons state but it is as foolish an act as trying to eclipse the sun with a palm,” a foreign ministry spokesman allegedly said. He went on to defend the test as a necessary response to a mounting U.S. nuclear threat, and that the country would continue increasing its nuclear force “in quality and in quantity.”
“The group of Obama’s running around and talking about meaningless sanctions until today is highly laughable, when their ‘strategic patience’ policy is completely worn out and they are close to packing up to move out,” the statement added.
The test may serve as an indication that strong international sanctions do little to discourage North Korea’s nuclear activity, as it is already one of the most heavily sanctioned places on Earth. It launched slightly smaller nuclear tests in January, 2016, and February, 2013.
Countries around the world, particularly North Korea’s neighbors, are increasingly concerned that North Korea will soon successfully mount a nuclear warhead to ballistic missiles.
The country has asserted that nuclear testing, “continues to protect [its] dignity and right to live from augmented threats of nuclear war from the United States.”
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