Michael Hernandez
07 January 2016•Update: 08 January 2016
WASHINGTON
President Barack Obama reassured key Asian allies following a nuclear test in North Korea that may signal a dangerous new advance for Pyongyang.
During telephone calls on Wednesday to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Park Geun-Hye, Obama reaffirmed the U.S.’ “unshakable” commitment to the countries, according to a White House statement.
"The two leaders condemned the test and agreed that North Korea’s actions constitute yet another violation of its obligations and commitments under international law, including several UN Security Council Resolutions,” the White House said in nearly identical readouts of the Park and Abe calls.
The White House said earlier in the day that the initial analysis of North Korea's test is “not consistent” with a successful hydrogen bomb test, despite North Korean media reports that alleged as much.
Hydrogen bombs involve fission and fusion reactions to generate greater power than single-stage atomic weapons. If claims are confirmed, it would mark a major upgrade in North Korea’s nuclear capability.
The pariah state has carried out three nuclear tests since 2006 and observers say the explosion claimed Wednesday was slightly larger than the last test in 2013.
Obama separately commended Park and Abe on a recently brokered agreement between the countries that should settle a long-stand dispute concerning Japan's use of Korean “comfort women” during the World War II.
