“We must carefully assess reports of North Korea detonating a hydrogen bomb. If verified, the test of a bomb by the North Korean government is unacceptable and will significantly impact the region and the entire global community. The Indo-Asia-Pacific region is vital to our national interests and includes many essential allies and partners like South Korea and Japan who respect international obligations to the United Nations Security Council.

“We should very carefully follow the facts as they are confirmed in the hours and days to come. We must continue to evaluate all actions of the North Korean regime and appropriately coordinate a response from the international community. Maintaining a significant U.S. military capability advantage throughout this region is a top national security priority. It is entirely appropriate that we carefully consider the capabilities and possible actions of North Korea and the challenges they may pose to the international order and how we and our allies should respond.”