North Korea announced today that it will take the necessary measures to strengthen its nuclear deterrence capabilities in response to a subcritical nuclear test , conducted by the United States, reported the North Korean news agency KCNA, quoted by Reuters and BTA.
The US Department of Energy announced that the National Nuclear Security Administration conducted a subcritical test at the Nevada Test Site to gather data on the reliability and effectiveness of nuclear warheads.
„To address the strategic instability of the region and the rest of the world caused by US unilateral action, (we) are forced to rethink the measures needed to improve our overall nuclear deterrence posture within our own is a sovereign right and the possible options”, says the KCNA announcement.
The agency does not specify what measures are involved.
Subcritical nuclear tests do not involve a nuclear explosion and do not cause a chain reaction. The US is a party to the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and stopped testing with nuclear explosions in 1992.
North Korea has conducted six underground nuclear tests and is believed to be ready for a seventh, although South Korean officials say there is no sign of a test being prepared in the immediate future.
There are UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea because of its nuclear tests and the development of ballistic missiles, Reuters reminds.