North Korea "successfully" conducts third nuclear test

Radiation warning symbol 

Pyongyang: North Korean has confirmed that it has "successfully" carried out its third underground nuclear test. 

The confirmation came after monitors in Seoul, Japan and the US detected an "artificial quake" at 11:57am Korean time (02:57 GMT).

"A third nuclear test has been successfully staged," the state-run Korean Central News agency said.

The "nuclear test" has triggered international condemnation but the official Korean Central News Agency has said the test on February 12 was to “protect our national security and sovereignty against the reckless hostility of the United States." 

The test, which came ahead of President Obama's State of the Union address on February 12, has been also condemned by the UN Secretary-General, Western powers, Japan, and South Korea.
The Council will discuss the test at an emergency session later on February 12.

UN sanctions were tightened against Pyongyang after a ballistic rocket launch in December.

North Korea carried out previous nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009.