South Korea's ruling and opposition parties on Friday held emergency meetings following North Korea's decision to carry out a fifth nuclear test, despite strong warnings by the international community, Yonhap News Agency reported. 
After a magnitude 5 earthquake was detected near North Korea's nuclear site in the country's northeastern region earlier in the day. Pyongyang's state media confirmed it conducted a nuclear weapons test. 
South Korea's ruling Saenuri Party, as well as the Minjoo Party of Korea (MPK) and the People's Party all held respective meetings to discuss follow up measures to this latest provocation. 
"The latest test shows that North Korea developed its nuclear weapons to be smaller and lighter, making such weapons a realistic threat," Rep. Yeom Dong-yeol, the spokesman of the ruling party, said. 
Yeom added the provocation calls for an immediate and strong actions by the international community, adding South Korea should join forces with neighboring countries to come up with effective countermeasures. 
"The issue is too critical and serious to be considered as a usual development," Saenuri leader Rep. Lee Jung-hyun also said. 
The MPK echoed the view, adding the nuclear test is a clear violation of the United Nations' resolution. 
"There are no ruling and opposition parties when it comes to security," Rep. Keun Tae-sup of the Minjoo said. "Our party will handle the North Korean nuclear crisis with the government and the ruling party in a cooperative manner." "North Korea's repeated nuclear tests are grave provocations that escalate instability in Northeast Asia as well as military tension on the Korean Peninsula," Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo of the People's Party also said.

Source : QNA