North Korea have carried out its fifth and largest ever test of a nuclear device. South Korean President Park Geun-hye called it an act of "self-destruction" which showed the "maniacal recklessness" of leader Kim Jong-un.

It had been detected that a 5.3 magnitude quake occurre, close to the nuclear test site.

The North has not commented, but analysts feared that this could be a sign of the rogue state's nuclear progress.

Previous artificial earthquakes in the same area and of that magnitude have all been caused due to nuclear tests.

Ms Park, who is cutting short an overseas visit, said that with a fifth nuclear test "Kim Jong-un's regime will only earn more sanctions and isolation. Such provocation will further accelerate its path to self-destruction."

In a statement by the Yonhap news agency, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said, "We estimate the North has carried out the biggest-ever test."

It said that the yield was estimated to have been 10 kilotonnes, almost twice the power of its last test in January. At that time the North said that it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb, but many analysts cast doubt on that claim.

The US Geological Survey, which monitors global seismic activity, said earlier that a tremor had been detected in the Punggye-ri nuclear test site in the north-east.

It said it was caused by "an explosion" but could not say what type.

Recent satellite imagery has shown increased activity at the site, indicating a fifth test could be imminent.

September 9th is North Korea's National Day, which celebrates the founding of the current regime. The North often uses such events as an opportunity for a show of military strength.

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By Prakriti Neogi