Obama Calls North Korea's Nuclear Test 'A Threat To The U.S.'

The world isn't looking at North Korea in a friendly manner after they concluded their third successful test of a nuclear weapon. After the break, President Obama shares his thoughts.

Early this morning (2/12), President Obama called North Korea's third nuclear test a "highly provocative act" that "undermines regional stability" and threatens action by the international community. To be succinct, he said that North Korea's nuclear program constitutes a "threat to United States national security."

The White House released the statement after North Korea detonated a miniaturized nuclear device at a northeastern test site, state media said, defying United Nation Security Council orders to shut down atomic activity or face more serious sanction and international isolation.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also condemned the test, saying it was "deplorable that Pyongyang defied the strong and unequivocal call from the international community to refrain from any further provocative measures."

There has been an emergency meeting scheduled by the U.N. Security Council to put together a plan on how to deal with this situation rationally.

The successful testing of an underground nuclear explosion could take North Korea a huge step closer to its goal of building a nuclear warhead small enough to be mounted on a long-range missile that could reach the United States if launched.

North Korea's official state media said the test was merely its "first response" to U.S. threats, and said it will continue with unspecified "second and third measures of greater intensity" if Washington maintains its hostility. Back in December, North Korea faced sanctions after they launched a rocket and the U.N. and Washington called a cover for a banned missile test.

The nuclear test is North Korea's first since leader Kim Jong Un took power in December 2011 following the death of his father, Kim Jong Il, and marks a bold statement for the young leader as he unveils his domestic and foreign policy for a country long estranged from the West.

It is suspected that President Obama will announce severe cuts in spending for U.S. nuclear weapons and emissions during his 2013 State of the Union address. What does this mean for our nations? Are we on a collision course of nuclear proportions? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

Props: CTV