Failed Hydrogen Bomb Test by North Korea Possible, US Official Thinks
The hermit state of North Korea might have conducted a failed test of hydrogen bomb components on January 6th which defense and intelligence analysts around the world largely dismissed as a dubious claim according to a recent pronouncement by a US official.
"The test was conducted more than two times deeper underground...However, the size of the seismic event and other intelligence indicates it was not likely a fully functioning device," reported CNN which broke the news first.
Despite the failed test, the incident still sends an alarming sense of caution regarding the totalitarian state's military capabilities.
According to Business Insider, a hydrogen bomb (also known as thermonuclear weapon in military parlance), is a more advanced and deadlier version of a conventional nuclear bomb- this type of weapon harnesses the power of either plutonium- or uranium-based reaction to create a frenzied reaction of hydrogen isotopes that could release tremendous amounts of unimaginable destructive energy.
North Korea's fourth nuclear test (a hydrogen bomb this time) could potentially create a regional scenario reminiscent of the Cold War Era when countries were poised to take on a hardline military positioning. Even China- the country's only real ally- felt the apparent need to side with the rest of the world in condemning North Korea's destabilizing provocations.
In a related development, the country's military is gearing up for another missile test following a failed test of hydrogen bomb elements. The planned missile firing test prompts Japan's Self Defense Forces to be on high military alert.
"We will take steps to respond, but I will refrain from revealing specific measures given the nature of the situation," said Minister of Defense Gen. Nakatani who ordered Japan's Aegis destroyers to shoot down projectiles from North Korea as mentioned in a report by Reuters.
