N. Korea claims development of hydrogen bomb for ICBM

North Korea claimed Sunday it has developed a hydrogen bomb that can be mounted on its new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected an H-bomb, which can be fit on its ICBM during his visit to the Nuclear Weapons Institute, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

The institute has succeeded in making a "more developed nuke," bringing about a "signal turn" in the country's nuclear weaponization, according to the report.

Scientists "further upgraded its technical performance at a higher ultra-modern level on the basis of precious successes made in the first H-bomb test," the KCNA said in an English dispatch.

The H-bomb can be detonated even at high altitudes for extremely powerful EMP attacks, it added.

"All components of the H-bomb were homemade, and all the processes ranging from the production of weapons-grade nuclear materials to precision processing of components and their assembling were put on the Juche basis, thus enabling the country to produce powerful nuclear weapons as many as it wants, " it added. Juche is its state ideology meaning self-reliance.

North Korea conducts 6th nuclear test; most powerful ever 2017-09-03 12:40  |  North Korea N. Korea stocks up on gas to survive sanctions: report 2017-09-02 15:47  |  North Korea Kim Jong-un has rare meeting with young soldiers: state media 2017-09-02 15:51  |  North Korea N. Korea threatens to kill S. Korean journalists 2017-09-01 16:37  |  North Korea In January 2016, North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test, which Pyongyang claimed to be a successful test of a hydrogen bomb. Outside experts said that it appeared to be a test of a boosted fission weapon, rather than an H-bomb.

North Korea has carried out five nuclear tests since 2006, including two last year. It is seeking to develop a nuclear weapon small enough to be mounted on an ICBM.

The announcement came amid heightened tensions after North Korea fired an intermediate-range ballistic missile over Japan last week.

In July, North Korea tested two ICBMs, which analysts say could put much of the U.S. mainland within range, including Los Angeles and Chicago. (Yonhap)