UN Security Council cautions N Korea against nuke test

United Nations, Oct 7 (UNI) The Security Council has warned North Korea of unspecified action if it conducts a nuclear test, declaring that such a test will represent a clear threat to international peace and security.

''The Security Council urged DPRK not to undertake such a test and to refrain from any action that might aggravate tension, to work on the resolution of non-proliferation concerns and to facilitate a peaceful and comprehensive solution through political and diplomatic efforts,'' the 15-member body said in a statement issued yesterday.

North Korea is officially known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

The statement, read out in open session by the Japanese envoy Kenzo Oshima, who is the Council's President for October, expressed "deep concern" over the DPRK's statement on Tuesday that it intended to conduct a nuclear test, adding that ''it would jeopardize the peace, stability and security in the region and beyond.'' Such a move "would bring universal condemnation by the international community and would not help the DPRK to address the stated concerns, particularly with regard to strengthening its security," it said.

''Should the DPRK ignore call of the international community, the Security Council will act consistent with its responsibility under the Charter of the United Nations.'' The statement also called on the DPRK to return immediately without preconditions to the Six-Party talks that has been seeking a peaceful solution to the crisis stemming from its nuclear programme, ''and in particular to abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programmes" so as to achieve the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.'' The talks in Beijing between China, North Korea, Japan, South Korea, Russia and the United States have been going on sporadically for several years.

The Council deplored the North Korea's withdrawal from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) nearly four years ago and called on the country to comply fully with all the provisions of Security Council resolution of July, 1695, which demanded that it suspend all activities related to its ballistic missile programme.

UNI XC LL HT0935