The nuclear test was carried out in North Korea’s Kilju county, North Hamkyung province. The world learnt of the nuclear test when an artificial earthquake with 4.9 magnitude was detected from the town where the North Korean nuclear test facility is located.

North Korea claimed the nuclear test was successful. South Korea’s military was immediately put on heightened alert to deter potential cross-border provocations, while the South Korean and US forces upgraded their border surveillance level.