North Korea has conducted a “successful” fifth nuclear test, state-run TV said Friday afternoon.
"Scientists (from)... the DPRK carried out a nuclear explosion test for the judgment of the power of a nuclear warhead newly studied and manufactured by them at the northern nuclear test ground," a TV announcer said, using the North's official name.
"The Central Committee of the (ruling) Workers' Party of Korea sent warm congratulations to nuclear scientists of the northern nuclear test ground on the successful nuclear warhead explosion test."
The test will also enable the North to produce "as many as it wants (of) a variety of smaller, lighter and diversified nuclear warheads of higher strike power," she said.
The Friday test "examined and confirmed" specific features of a nuclear warhead designed to be mounted on ballistic missiles, the announcer said, adding there was no radioactive leakage or adverse environmental impact caused by the test.
The North said the test shows the country is ready to hit back if provoked by enemies including the United States, and that it will continue its efforts to strengthen the quantity and quality of its nuclear weapons.
The North did not say exactly when and where the test took place. But the announcement came hours after Seoul said Pyongyang had staged another atomic test in its Punggye-ri nuclear test site near the border with China.
The latest test, with an estimated yield of 10 kilotons, is the largest-ever staged by Pyongyang, according to South Korean military.