North Korea has demanded the US recognise it as a “legitimate nuclear weapons state” following its fifth and largest atomic test, adding that threats of further sanctions against the country were “laughable”. Photograph: Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP/Getty ImagesThe UN security council denounced North Korea’s decision to carry out the test and said it would begin work immediately on a resolution. “We will be working very closely in the security council and beyond to come up with the strongest possible measure against North Korea’s latest actions,” said the US special representative for North Korea policy, Sung Kim, on Sunday. The latest test showed North Korea’s nuclear capability was expanding fast and that the country’s leader, Kim Jong-un, was unwilling to alter course, South Korea said on Saturday. Another KCNA report on Sunday said North Koreans were “delighted” by the nuclear test.

Source: The Guardian September 11, 2016 09:35 UTC