President Park Geun-hye presided over the National Security Council over North Korea’s claim to have successfully conducted a hydrogen nuclear bomb test on Wednesday.

The NSC will convene at 1:30 p.m. to discuss the measures to deal with the North’s latest provocation.

The foreign affairs and unification ministries entered into emergency mode.

The Defense Ministry said it is working closely with the U.S. following the North’s announcement that came a few hours after the world’s seismic analysis centers reported that a 5.1-magnitude artificial earthquake occurred in the North.

The ministry also said the military will maintain stronger readiness and surveillance posture.

The North conducted underground nuclear tests in 2006, 2009 and 2013. (khnews@heraldcorp.com)