Russian, US Diplomats Express Concern Over Pyongyang's Hydrogen Bomb Test

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov and US Special Representative for North Korea Policy Sung Kim in a phone conversation expressed concern over an alleged hydrogen bomb test announced by Pyongyang, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – On Wednesday, Pyongyang claimed it had carried out its first hydrogen bomb test. The international community, including major nuclear powers, condemned Pyongyang's actions, having expressed concern over possible aggravation of the situation in the region.

"An in-depth exchange of views on the prospects of resolving the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula in the light of reports about North Korea's test of a hydrogen bomb took place. Concern over Pyongyang's actions, which were a direct violation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, was expressed," the ministry said in a statement.

There is no alternative to political and diplomatic solutions to the existing issues on the Korean Peninsula in the framework of denuclearization talks, the Russian deputy foreign minister highlighted, adding that the conflicting sides should avoid steps that could lead to a new spiral of tensions.

North Korea declared itself a nuclear power in 2005, and conducted several nuclear weapon tests in 2006, 2009 and 2013, sparking concerns of the international community.

The UN resolutions 1718 and 1814 urge Pyongyang to refrain from nuclear tests and reengage in talks on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.