UK Prime Minister Theresa May slams North Korea’s ‘reckless’ nuclear test, calls for tougher action

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (C) meeting with the scientists and technicians in the field of researches into nuclear weapons and guiding the work for boosting the nuclear arsenal at an undisclosed location, March 9, 2016. (Photo by AFP)

UK Prime Minister Theresa May has called for “tougher action” against North Korea following its "reckless and unacceptable" test of a nuclear bomb.

May said Sunday that she had called Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to discuss Pyongyang’s claims of a successful hydrogen bomb test.

"I discussed the serious and grave threat these dangerous and illegal actions present with President Abe in Japan this week and reiterate the call we jointly made for tougher action, including increasing the pace of implementation of existing sanctions and looking urgently in the UN Security Council at new measures,” she said in a statement.

The PM called on the international community to come together and push for an end into the North’s “destabilizing actions.”

Announcing the test on Sunday, North Korean state television said the tested weapon was capable of being loaded onto long-range missiles.

The broadcaster said the nuclear test had an “unprecedentedly large power,” and that it “marked a very significant occasion in attaining the final goal of completing the state nuclear force.”

Echoing May, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson also condemned the test and described it as “another provocation.” He said a North Korea H-bomb could pose “a new order of threat” if Pyongyang was able to fire it using a missile.

Admitting that none of the available military options against North Korea were palatable, Johnson said a diplomatic solution was the only way the two sides could get along.

China, Russia and South Korea are among the nations that have voiced strong criticism of the North's sixth nuclear test.

Last week, North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un ordered the production of more nuclear warheads and engines for its ICBMs, shortly after the US President Donald Trump threatened the country with “fire and fury” in case it carries out more nuclear and missile tests.

Pyongyang says it will not give up on its nuclear deterrence unless Washington ends its hostile policy toward the country and dissolves the US-led UN command in South Korea. Thousands of US soldiers are stationed in South Korea and Japan.