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NORTH Korea sparked worldwide condemnation today after defying the UN and detonating a miniaturised nuclear device last night. The hermit communist nation confirmed it had successfully conducted its THIRD nuclear test - which caused a 4.9-strength earthquake. A statement from North Korea's KCNA news agency, said: "It was confirmed that the nuclear test that was carried out at a high level in a safe and perfect manner using a miniaturised and lighter nuclear device with greater explosive force than previously did not pose any negative impact on the surrounding ecological environment." World leaders rushed to slam the test - a clear breach of UN orders to stop building atomic weapons. The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting in New York on North Korea�s nuclear test this afternoon. The fact that North Korea says it has carried out a test on a so-called "miniature" device which managed to cause a huge earthquake is likely to raise alarm bells. And UN secretary general Ban Ki-Moon said the test was �a clear and grave violation� of resolutions. The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting in New York this afternoon. US President Barack Obama called the nuclear testing a �highly provocative act� that threatens US security and international peace. In a statement President Obama promised to �continue to take steps necessary to defend ourselves and our allies.� He also urged �swift and credible action by the international community.� The president said North Korea has �increasingly isolated and impoverished its people through its ill-advised pursuit of weapons of mass destruction Foreign Secretary William Hague also �strongly condemned� the actions by the secretive state. Mr Hague said: �North Korea�s development of its nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities poses a threat to international and regional security. "Its repeated provocations only serve to increase regional tension, and hinder the prospects for lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.� Mr Hague said UN resolutions committed the security council to taking �significant action� in the event of a further launch or nuclear test by North Korea. �The UK will begin urgent consultations with security council partners calling for a robust response to this latest development,� he said. �North Korea has a choice to make - it can either engage constructively with the international community, cease developing its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes and return to negotiations, or face increasing isolation and further action by the security council and the international community.� China has also slammed the test and called for Kim Jong-un to give up his nuclear ambitions. A statement from the country's foreign ministry said: "The Democratic People�s Republic of Korea, heedless of widespread international opposition, has again carried out a nuclear test, to which the Chinese government expresses its firm opposition."