WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — On Wednesday, Pyongyang reportedly carried out the first test of a hydrogen bomb. The international community has condemned the alleged test as provocative, and undermining stability in the region. The UN resolutions 1718 and 1814 urge Pyongyang to refrain from nuclear tests and reengage in talks on the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.
"The UN obviously is working after an emergency Security Council meeting that was convened by the United States and Japan to discuss options for a response, certainly that could include additional economic sanctions," Earnest stated.
North Korea declared itself a nuclear power in 2005 and conducted nuclear tests in 2006, 2009 and 2013, having earlier withdrawn from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty that it ratified in 1985.
The United States, Japan and South Korea, as well as Russia and China, took part in talks on denuclearization of the Korean peninsula with North Korea from 2003 until 2009, when Pyongyang withdrew from the talks.
On Wednesday, the UN Security Council at an emergency session condemned the nuclear test and announced it would begin work on further significant measures against North Korea in a new resolution.
