North Korea Says It Has Conducted Its First "successful" Test Of Hydrogen Bomb

North Korea says it has conducted its first "successful" test of a hydrogen bomb, hailing the detonation as a "historic" event.

"The republic's first hydrogen bomb test has been successfully performed at 10:00 am on January 6, 2016, based on the strategic determination of the Workers' Party," a state television news reader said.

"With the perfect success of our historic H-bomb, we have joined the rank of advanced nuclear states," the announcer added, claiming the test was of a "miniaturised" device.

If the claim is confirmed it would mark a major, and alarming, step forward in the isolated country's nuclear development, as hydrogen bombs are generally more powerful than nuclear bombs.