North Korea defends decision to conduct nuclear test; threats from U.S. to blame.

North Korea sited the United States’ “increasing threat of a nuclear war and its vicious sanctions and pressure” as reason for their most recent decision to proceed with nuclear testing.

The Foreign Ministry of North Korea did say that they “will conduct a nuclear test under the condition where safety is firmly guaranteed.”

North Korea and its weapons program has been a focus of international attention for some time now. They broke off talks with the United States, Russia, China, Japan and South Korea earlier this year after U.S. sanctions were imposed.

In July, North Korea test fired seven missiles and drew the ire of the United Nations. Despite warnings of further sanctions and possible military action, North Korea adamantly defended their right to carry out such tests.

The most recent events have further alienated the country from the rest of the world. The Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has described any test carried out as “unforgivable” and would call for an international response.