LOC11:30
08:30 GMT
TOKYO, Sept 22 (KUNA) -- Japan will maintain a high level of vigilance to deal with North Korea's possible hydrogen bomb test in the Pacific Ocean, a top government spokesman said Friday.
"I am aware of the remarks. The government will conduct warning and surveillance activities to respond to any situation," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a press conference.
Suga's comments come after North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho indicated that Pyongyang may conduct the strongest test of a hydrogen bomb in the Pacific Ocean in response to US President Donald Trump's recent speech at the UN General Assembly.
The North's top diplomat made the remarks in New York on Thursday when asked to comment on North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's warning about taking the "highest-level" of actions against the US.
In a rare statement carried by the official media earlier in the day, Kim has condemned Trump's UN address on Tuesday, which the president referred to Kim as "Rocket Man" and warned of totally destroying North Korea over its nuclear and missile programs.
"We will consider with seriousness exercising of a corresponding, highest level of hard-line countermeasure in history," Kim said in the statement. (end)
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