CRITICISM AND SKEPTICISM
In the wake of Pyongyang's announcement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement that China "firmly" opposes the DPRK's nuclear test and will work with the international community for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
In South Korea, the National Security Council called an emergency meeting, during which President Park Geun-hye called the test a "grave provocation."
"Now, the government should closely cooperate with the international community to make sure that North Korea (the DPRK) pays the corresponding price," Park's office quoted her as saying.
Meanwhile, South Korea's intelligence agency expressed skepticism over whether the device tested Wednesday by the DPRK was a hydrogen nuclear bomb.
The country's meteorological agency said separately that it had not detected any radiation after the DPRK made the announcement.
In Japan, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the DPRK's move "clearly violates UN Security Council resolutions and is a grave challenge against international efforts for non-proliferation."
Japan, he added, will work along with other countries to take firm action against the DPRK if Pyongyang's claim of a H-bomb test turns out to be true.
Across the Pacific, the United States said that while it could not yet confirm if the DPRK had conducted a hydrogen bomb test, it would respond appropriately to any provocations.
"While we cannot confirm these claims at this time, we condemn any violation of UNSC (United Nations Security Council) resolutions and again call on North Korea (the DPRK) to abide by its international obligations and commitments," White House National Security Council spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.
The UN Security Council is expected to hold an urgent meeting to discuss the development.
