The statement said:

The DPRK conducted the third underground nuclear test.

This was an answer to the intensified hostile acts of the U.S. which wantonly violated the legitimate right of the DPRK to space development and satellite launch for peaceful purposes.

It also serves as part of countermeasures for protecting the sovereignty and security of the DPRK.

The imperialist reactionaries' sheer sophism about the "danger" of a nuclear test can never frighten the DPRK.

The nuclear test conducted by it was aimed at self-defence, to all intents and purposes, and poses no threat to any one.

It would make positive contribution to protecting the peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the Asia-Pacific region.

We warmly hail the DPRK's successful third underground nuclear test.