Washington Post: In latest test, North Korea detonates its most powerful nuclear device yet
TOKYO — North Korea sharply raised the stakes Sunday in its standoff with the rest of the world, detonating a powerful nuclear device that it claimed was a hydrogen bomb that could be attached to a missile capable of reaching the mainland United States.
Even if Kim Jong Un’s regime is exaggerating its feats, scientific evidence showed that North Korea had crossed an important threshold and had detonated a nuclear device that was vastly more powerful than its last — and almost seven times the size of the bomb that destroyed Hiroshima.
Tensions had already been running high, with Kim repeatedly defying international condemnation and increasingly blunt warnings by President Trump, and continuing to launch ballistic missiles.
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WNU Editor: Analysts are now saying that this test was in the 100+ kiloton range. If this is the case, this tells me that it was either a very powerful atomic explosion, or more likely a hydrogen bomb test. If this was an H-Bomb test, this changes everything. I am sure that the "sniffer planes" that collect and examine air samples are in the air right now, and that a determination on what type of explosion this was will soon be forthcoming. Either-way .... this changes everything right now, and I expect on the diplomatic front China will be pressured in the coming days/weeks/months to cut all economic ties with North Korea.
On a side note, I was told years ago that there are tens of thousands of engineers/physicists/etc. around the world who have a basic understanding on how to build an atomic bomb (if they have the nuclear material and a knowledge of explosives). When it comes to the more powerful hydrogen-bomb .... that expertise is only limited to a few hundred. If North Korea did explode a hydrogen bomb .... they either have a group of people who are extremely smart on these things, or they got their hands (and expertise) on the plans on how to build one from somewhere else. I do not have any evidence but my gut is telling me that considering how quick they have developed their missile and nuclear tech in only the past two years .... they are getting help and/or have received help. As to who can help them with this type of technology .... the list is short, but a few weeks ago I was speculating on this (read my comment) .... Report: Ukraine Sold Rocket Engines For North Korea's Missiles (August 14, 2017). I know that when the Soviet Union broke up, pressure was out on Ukraine to give up their nuclear grade weapons stockpile .... which they did. As for the plans and schematics on how to build one .... who knows ... but I hope to God there is no Ukraine link to this nuclear test today.
More News And Analysis On What Did North Korean Explode Today
Did North Korea just test a hydrogen bomb? -- Ian Sample, The Guardian
Japan says tremors in North Korea were 10 times as powerful as previous nuclear test -- Reuters
Kim inspects 'nuclear warhead': A picture decoded -- BBC
North Korea tests most powerful nuclear bomb yet -- CNN
Here Are The Facts About North Korea's Nuclear Test -- NPR
What is a hydrogen bomb? A look at the latest potential threat from North Korea -- ABC News
What North Korea Might Have Actually Tested on Sunday -- Sputnik
North Korea Carries Out Sixth Nuclear Test of Claimed Two-Stage Thermonuclear bomb -- The Diplomat
U.S. intel official: No doubt North Korea tested advanced device -- Reuters
North Korea just tested its most powerful nuclear bomb yet -- VOX
What happens when North Korea tests a nuclear weapon -- Joshua Berlinger, CNN
Hydrogen bomb vs. atomic bomb: What's the difference? -- USA TODAY
Hydrogen vs atomic bomb: What's the difference? -- DW
North Korea Nuclear Test: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know -- Heavy
Chronology of North Korean missile development -- AFP
The most powerful nuclear blasts ever -- BBC
