"With the perfect success of our historic H-bomb, we have joined the rank of advanced nuclear states," a North Korean television anchor reported Wednesday.

North Korea conducted the test around 10 a.m. local time and claimed it was a "miniaturized" device. Those watching the announcement welcomed the test.

"The United States is the aggressor, with all kinds of nuclear weapons waiting to invade our country," Pyongyang citizen Song Chol noted. "So having a hydrogen bomb is the right thing, the legitimate right of a sovereign state, which nobody can complain about. It would be stupid to put down your gun as you are faced by fierce wolves rushing at you."

Some intelligence experts are skeptical that the underground test was in fact a hydrogen bomb, according to reports on Fox News.

If the claim is confirmed, it would put North Korea a big step closer to improving its still-limited nuclear arsenal and its goal to build a bomb small enough to place on a missile that can reach the U.S. mainland.

The U.S. sees that as a serious threat, but North Koreans claim such weaponry is necessary to protect themselves from America.

"It's a reliable way of defending peace and security on the Korean peninsula from the nuclear threat that comes from hostile forces led by the U.S.," Pyongyang citizen Hong Chol Min said.

The global reaction to the test was immediate, with many world leaders condemning it.

Britain's foreign secretary called it a "provocation." Neighboring South Korea also denounced the move, saying it was yet another violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

"We urge North Korea to clearly realize that international society will not accept under any circumstances the country's holding of a nuclear program," Cho Tae-yong, deputy chief of the Presidential Office of National Security, said.

South Korea's intelligence agency is disputing the North's claim that it was a hydrogen bomb, saying the explosion was too small and they detected no radiation from the suspected site.

An earthquake measuring 5.1 was recorded some 30 miles from where North Korea has conducted previous tests.

Early last month, North Korea's President Kim Jung-Un claimed his scientists had developed a hydrogen bomb, but nuclear experts like Jeffrey Lewis are skeptical of his claim.

"Thermonuclear weapons are tricky; making one work requires a bit of test experience," he wrote.

The test comes on the heels of a massive gathering in North Korea's capital city Tuesday. Tens of thousands braved frigid temperatures to show their support for the president and their country.

"Every official party member and worker in Pyongyang should demonstrate the spirit and the true merits of Korea," North Korean official Kim Su Gil said.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Thanksgiving: The Quintessential American Holiday

Mamdani Could Threaten Future of Pregnancy Care Centers, Pro-Life CEO Warns

Texas: Strongman Games World Championship Disqualifies Winner, Strips Him of 'Women's Open Title' Victory after Discovering He's Biologically Male

Parents Sue School District after 11-Year-Old Girl Was Forced to Share Bed With 'Transgender' Boy

Department of War Says Senator Kelly Faces Possible Court-Martial for 'Seditious' Video

Chicago Train Burning Shows How Too Much Leniency to the Guilty Is Cruelty to the Innocent

FDA's Makary: Fauci Orchestrated 'Massive Cover-Up' of COVID Origin

One of Two National Guard Members Who Were 'Savagely' Gunned Down on Wednesday Has Died; Pray For Her Family, and Healing for the Other Soldier

Remembering 'A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving'

Exposed: Soros Family Has Been Working With the US State Department for 50 Years, Wikileaks Shows

Bishops Vote to Prohibit Trans Surgeries and Hormone Treatment in Catholic Hospitals

Do No Harm Survey Shows Rank-and-File Doctors Oppose DEI in Healthcare

Federal Report Exposes Sacramento's Failure: AAP, AMA, WPATH Lied and Lawmakers Let Children Pay the Price

FBI's Patel and Bongino Share Details of Op that Stopped Huge Halloween Islamic Terror Plot: 'A Lot of People Would've Died'

President Trump Designates Muslim Brotherhood as a Foreign Terrorist Organization

Same Old Tricks: Big Tech News 'Aggregators' Suppress Dem Scandals in Lead-Up to Elections

Maryland School Board Resists State’s Attempt to Override Removal of Explicit LGBT Book

All Living Israeli Hostages Now Home, Embraced by Medical Staff and Loving Communities, Yet Facing Long Recovery

Chicago public schools blow millions on travel expenses while students can't read at grade level

'That doesn't exist': Doge reportedly quietly disbanded ahead of schedule