The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) had informed the U.S. government before it carried out its third nuclear test, US?State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said on Tuesday.

"The DPRK did inform us at the State Department of their intention to conduct a nuclear test, without citing any specific timing," she said at a regular briefing.

Without giving further details, Nuland only told reporters that the DPRK informed the U.S. government through the "usual" diplomatic channel "prior to the event."

"But we were advised," she noted.

The DPRK said on Tuesday it had successfully conducted the third underground nuclear test, according to the official KCNA news agency.

The test was part of the country's "practical measures of counteraction" to defend its security and sovereignty against hostile U.S. policies that have violated DPRK's "rights to launch satellite for peaceful purposes," the KCNA said in a statement.

Earlier the day, U.S. President Barack Obama condemned the nuclear test as "highly provocative," while urging for "further swift and credible action" by the international community.

The UN Security Council on Tuesday also strongly condemned the nuclear test, saying the latest move by Pyongyang "is a grave violation" of relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council.