UN Secretary-General Deplores DPR Korea's Underground Nuclear Test

Mr. Ban urged DPRK to refrain from taking further actions that would increase tensions in the region, and insisted that the country comply with its obligations and restart dialogue with the parties concerned without delay.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon UN Photo

(GENEVA) - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon strongly deplored the conduct of an underground nuclear test by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Monday, in “clear and grave” violation of resolutions of the Security Council which also spoke out against the act.

“The Secretary-General is deeply concerned that this act will negatively affect regional peace and stability as well as the global nuclear non-proliferation regime,” his spokesperson said in a statement.

The members of the Security Council, which met in an emergency session convened at the request of Japan, “voiced their strong opposition to and condemnation of the nuclear test,” Ambassador Vitaly I. Churkin of Russia, which holds the rotating presidency of the 15-member body for the month of May, told reporters after the closed-door meeting.

Mr. Churkin added that Council members have decided to start work immediately on a resolution on this matter in accordance with the body's responsibilities under the UN Charter.

Following DPRK's claims to have conducted a nuclear test in October 2006, the Council had demanded that it “not conduct any further nuclear test or launch of a ballistic missile” and imposed sanctions against the country.

Most recently, both Mr. Ban and the Council spoke out after the East Asian nation, against strong international appeals, carried out rocket launches.

They also called for the early resumption of the Six-Party Talks, involving DPRK, Republic of Korea, Japan, China, Russia and the United States.

In today's statement, Mr. Ban urged DPRK to refrain from taking further actions that would increase tensions in the region, and insisted that the country comply with its obligations and restart dialogue with the parties concerned without delay.