US Republican Hopefuls Blame Obama for N Korea Nuclear Test

Republican presidential candidates critisized President Obama's weak foreign policy after North Korea had allegedly conducted a test of its nuclear bomb.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — North Korea’s alleged nuclear weapons test is a direct result of US President Barack Obama’s weak foreign policy, Republican presidential candidates said after Pyongyang claimed it carried out its first hydrogen bomb test on Wednesday.

"North Korean nuke test shows danger of continuing feckless Obama/Clinton foreign policy," Republican Presidential candidate and the younger brother and son of two US presidents Jeb Bush said via Twitter on Wednesday.

​Earlier in the day, North Korea announced it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb after South Korean media reported an earthquake near the Pyongyang nuclear facility, prompting Seoul's suspicions that its neighbor had performed another nuclear test.

Following Pyongyang’s claim, US Senator and Republican presidential hopeful Marco Rubio warned that North Korea had expanded its nuclear capabilities under Obama’s leadership, while the US president "has stood idly by."

"If this test is confirmed, it will be just the latest example of the failed Obama-Clinton foreign policy," Rubio said. "Our enemies around the world are taking advantage of Obama's weakness. We need new leadership that will stand up to people like [North Korean President] Kim Jong-un and ensure our country has the capabilities necessary to keep America safe."

North Korea declared itself a nuclear power in 2005, and has since conducted at least three underground nuclear weapon tests which have raised concerns both in the neighboring states and worldwide.