Reclusive state bordering Russian Far East claims to have 'joined the ranks of advanced nuclear states'.
Highly prized victory comes without a shot in anger after 13 year battle in the corridors of the United Nations.
Rising tensions have led to Pyongyang threatening missile and nuclear strikes against the United States and its ally South Korea.
Moscow today condemned North Korea's latest nuclear test but said that there was no threat to Russians living in close proximity to the border.
Officials from Russia and North Korea say the long-waited train connection is now almost ready.
From the Urals to Pacific people this week joined the rest of Russia in marking the massacre in which 334 were killed.
But who were the mysterious Paleolithic artists of these rock drawings?
Heart-wrenching but inspiring story of romance emerges as 96 year old Japanese ex-PoW pens emotional last letter to his dead Russian wife.
Mushroom picker Alexander Lopukhin, 44, said he was certain he would die.
Scientist thought he had stumbled upon an unusual stone, only for tests to show he had unearthed major dinosaur find.