U.N. Security Council sets emergency meeting on North Korea blast

Monday’s meeting will be the council’s second emergency session on the North’s weapons programs in less than a week. North Korea said on Sunday it detonated a hydrogen bomb underground.

The U.N. Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting on North Korea after a powerful nuclear test explosion added another layer of urgency for diplomats wrestling with what to do next.

Monday’s meeting will be the council’s second emergency session on the North’s weapons programs in less than a week. North Korea said on Sunday it detonated a hydrogen bomb underground.

The council had gathered just five days earlier to condemn Pyongyang’s launch of a missile over Japan and reiterate demands for North Korea to halt its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs.

Last month, the council imposed its stiffest sanctions so far on North Korea, banning the North’s lucrative exports of coal, iron, lead and seafood products.

Monday could bring additional condemnation and discussion of other potential steps.