Pentagon chief warns of 'massive military response'

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Any threat to the US and its allies from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will be met with a "massive military response," US Defense Secretary James Mattis warned Sunday.

"We made clear that we have the ability to defend ourselves and our allies, South Korea and Japan, from any attack," Mattis told reporters after a national security meeting at the White House, reaffirming that US commitment among the allies is "ironclad."

The remark came after DPRK's official media announced on Sunday that the country has successfully detonated a hydrogen bomb capable of being carried by an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

US Defense Secretary James Mattis (L) and Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrive to speak to the press about the situation in DPRK at the White House, Sept. 3, 2017. /AFP Photo

Mattis also urged the DPRK to take heed of the international community's call for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, adding that the US is not looking to the "total annihilation" of the DPRK but has "many options to do so."

In a tweet on Sunday morning, US President Donald Trump called the words and actions of the DPRK "very hostile and dangerous" to the US.

Screenshot of US President Donald Trump

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Sunday condemned the underground nuclear test announced by the DPRK.

In a statement, his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said that Guterres "reiterates his call on the DPRK leadership to cease such acts and to comply fully with its international obligations under relevant Security Council resolutions."

"This act is yet another serious breach of the DPRK's international obligations and undermines international non-proliferation and disarmament efforts," said Dujarric, adding that this act "is also profoundly destabilizing for regional security."

"The DPRK is the only country that continues to break the norm against nuclear test explosions," said Dujarric.

File photo of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres /AFP Photo

The spokesperson noted that the Secretary-General remains in contact with all parties concerned.

The DPRK carried out its "most powerful nuclear test to date" on Sunday, claiming to have developed an advanced hydrogen bomb "that could sit atop an intercontinental ballistic missile."

The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss the DPRK's latest nuclear test, diplomats said Sunday.

Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Sunday, expressing firm opposition to and strong condemnation of the nuclear test by the DPRK.

"The DPRK has ignored the international community's widespread opposition and conducted a nuclear test again. The Chinese government expresses resolute objection to and strong condemnation of it," the ministry's statement said.

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Source(s): Xinhua News Agency