- US to deploy missile defence system in South Korea
- Seoul warns Kim Jong-un is planning more missile tests
- US defence secretary says ‘total annihilation’ of North Korea an option
- Boris Johnson warns Donald Trump that Kim could ‘vaporise’ South Korea
Bringing you the latest updates following North Korea’s nuclear weapons test. All times BST.
10.00am: South Korea and US plan North Korea response
South Korea has said that it is talking to the US about deploying aircraft carriers and strategic bombers to the Korean peninsula.
The move is a direct response to “signs” that North Korea might launch more missile tests in the wake of its sixth and largest nuclear test.
9.00am: US anti-missile system to launch in South Korea
South Korea has confirmed that it will temporally deploy a controversial US missile defence system designed to intercept North Korean warheads.
The final four of six Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) launchers will become operational in the village of Seongju after the environment ministry gave its approval.
Two batteries were installed in April causing outrage among villagers, who said that radiation from the launchers would damage their health and crops.
Seoul said in June that it would hold off installing the remaining components until it completed an assessment of their environmental impact, which officials have now deemed to be “minimal”.
Officials have conceded that that regular radiation assessments must be observed by local residents, with results being made available to the public.
China has also protested the anti-missile system, which is says “gravely harms the strategic security interests of China, Russia and other countries in the region”.
8.30am: South Korea ‘continues to see signs of more missile launches’
South Korea has “seen signs” that Kim Jong-un is planning to launch more ballistic missile tests, possibly including an inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM).
Defence ministry official Chang Kyung-soo said in Seoul’s parliament: “We have continued to see signs of possibly more ballistic missile launches.
“We also forecast North Korea could fire an intercontinental ballistic missile.”
Earlier, South Korea launched a live-fire exercise in response to Kim’s alleged hydrogen bomb test.
Its military fired missiles into the sea to simulate an attack on the North’s nuclear site.
6.00am: US warns ‘total annihilation’ of North Korea an option
US defence secretary James Mattis has warned that a North Korean attack would be met with a “massive military response”.
“We made clear that we have the ability to defend ourselves and our allies, South Korea and Japan, from any attack,” Mr Mattis said.
“And our commitment among the allies is ironclad: any threat to the United States or its territories, including Guam, or our allies will be met with a massive military response, a response both effective and overwhelming.
Speaking after a meeting with Donald Trump and his national security team, Mr Mattis added: “We are not looking to the total annihilation of a country, namely North Korea.
“But as I said, we have many options to do so.”
Mr Trump yesterday wrote on Twitter that North Korea “is a rogue nation that has become a great threat and embarrassment to China”.
“The United States is considering, in addition to other options, stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea,” he added.
5.30am: Boris warns Trump that North Korea strike could ‘vaporise’ South
Boris Johnson has warned Donald Trump that a military strike on North Korea could push Kim Jong-un to “vaporise” South Korea.
The Foreign Secretary said: “There is no question that this is another provocation, it is reckless, what they are doing is they seem to be moving closer towards a hydrogen bomb which, if fitted to a successful missile, would unquestionably present a new order of threat.
“We have to consider how to respond and it’s our view in the UK, overwhelmingly, that peaceful diplomatic means are the best.
“It’s certainly our view that none of the military options are good. It is of course right to say that all options are on the table, but we really don’t see an easy military solution.”
North Korea claimed to have successfully tested a hydrogen bomb capable of being mounted on to an intercontinental ballistic missile on Sunday.
The launch marked the rogue state’s sixth and most powerful nuclear test, resulting in a magnitude 6.3 earthquake.