North Korea threatens to test hydrogen bomb in the Pacific

North Korea may test its most powerful hydrogen bomb in the Pacific, an action at the "highest level" against the US.

The US Priscilla nuclear bomb test in 1957. Photo: USNationalArchive.

"It could be the most powerful H-bomb detonation in the Pacific," Yonhap quoted North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho as saying on September 21 after leader Kim Jong-un said he was considering the strongest action in response to US President Donald Trump's threat of "total destruction".

Mr. Ri said that North Korea's actions were unclear because leader Kim was the one who gave the orders. Foreign Minister Ri is in New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly.

North Korea conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test on September 3, which it said was a hydrogen bomb. In response, the UN Security Council imposed new sanctions on North Korea, banning the country's textile exports, restricting imports of petroleum products, liquefied natural gas and condensates, and banning the hiring of new North Korean workers abroad.

Kim vowed to make Trump "pay a heavy price" after the US president issued a new executive order, strengthening sanctions aimed at "cutting off sources of revenue that help Pyongyang develop the deadliest weapons known to mankind." Mr Trump said the order allows authorities to target companies and organizations that financially support and promote trade with North Korea.

According to VNE