North Korea is a “nuclear and ballistic missile state” that is a danger to the region, President Donald Trump said on Wednesday.
The White House did not give a precise number for the test, but said it was one of North Korea’s most powerful and powerful nuclear tests to date.
The test came just weeks after Trump said the country is “locked and loaded” with nuclear weapons and warned it was now time to get “ready for war.”
“I believe we’re getting a wake-up moment,” Trump said in a meeting with the Japanese prime minister on Wednesday in a phone call.
“This is a very serious situation,” Trump added.
“We’ve seen the number of missiles being launched.
We’ve seen North Korea test, they’ve tested a lot of missiles.
Now, we have to get ready for war.
This is a dangerous situation.”
Trump’s comments came hours after North Korea said it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb that experts say could be used to put a nuclear warhead on an intercontinental ballistic missile.
A military official told Reuters that the North fired an H-bomb at an undisclosed location on Wednesday morning.
North Korea said the test was carried out at a site called Yongbyon.
It is the first time the country has conducted a nuclear test and it follows months of threats by Pyongyang to attack the United States.
North Korean state media said the North launched a ballistic missile at its east coast, carrying a nuclear device.
Trump said North Korea should be “ashamed” for what it has done and said the United Nations Security Council should consider imposing sanctions.
“North Korea’s reckless actions are making the world a far less safe place and will make it far more difficult for our nation to lead the world,” Trump told reporters.
“And I don’t want the world to be a place that’s safe for North Korea.”
The White Trump said that he has “a great relationship” with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
“Our relationship has never been stronger,” he said.
“He’s one of the great leaders of our generation, he’s a great leader of the world.
He’s going to be an incredible leader for our country.”
Trump, who has been weighing whether to declare war against North Korea since Trump took office, also told the Japanese Prime Minster he has asked him to help the United Kingdom “stop these people.”
The Japanese government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The United States is conducting what is considered the toughest sanctions campaign against North Korean leaders in decades.
Trump has vowed to respond to any further North Korean provocation, and said he would make a decision on the next round of sanctions next week.
North Koreans say they have been threatened with “pre-emptive” military action.
Trump’s statements came a day after a top Japanese diplomat warned Pyongyang that its weapons program is “not something that should be considered a joke” as the U.S. seeks to pressure Pyongyang.
Trump, in a telephone call with Abe, said he had “great confidence” in Abe, but was also critical of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Trump on Wednesday told Abe he should stop the North Korean threat and warned the North Koreans would “pay a heavy price” if they do.
The Japanese leader called the North’s leader a “capable leader” and said Pyongyang had to “come to the table” for negotiations.
“It is time for the world leaders to act.
They should stop North Korea, stop its threat and put the situation in a different way,” Abe told reporters in Tokyo.
Japan has conducted dozens of joint military drills with South Korea and the United Americans.
