North Korea confirmed it has conducted its fifth test of a nuclear weapon, the second this year.  the design of a nuclear warhead intended for placement on a ballistic missile.  there was no leakage of radioactivity. China’s Ministry of Environmental Protection said radiation levels in its border region with North Korea were normal. the North claimed was a hydrogen bomb, which led to wide condemnation and tougher international sanctions. Pyongyang previously tested at Punggye-ri in 2006, 2009 and 2013.

North Korea is the only nation to conduct any nuclear tests in this century.  The move comes against numerous calls from North Korea’s allies and antagonists to refrain from more “provocative acts” following January’s test and a February rocket launch.

In March, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 2270, which the U.S. calls the toughest package of sanctions on the North in two decades. China, a longtime ally of Pyongyang, signed on, signaling it too was weary of the North’s threats to the security of the Northeast Asia region. Six months after those sanctions, North Korea is only increasing its missile launches and test frequency.