'North's nuclear test did not tip Korea balance'

Seoul, Nov 2: North Korea had not tipped the balance of military power on the Korean peninsula in its favour by developing nuclear weapons and conducting its first test, South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun said today.

South Korea continues to hold superiority over the North but it will never test its might by threatening its neighbour, Roh told foreign executives at an investment forum in Seoul.

''Will the military balance be broken to a degree North Korea will unilaterally wage aggression? I don't think it has been broken yet,'' Roh said. ''We will always maintain superiority.'' North Korea set off a nuclear device on October 9, saying it was a successful test. U N Security Council sanctions followed swiftly, but Pyongyang has been defiant, saying it was entitled to nuclear weapons in self defence.

North Korea agreed to return to talks on ending its nuclear programmes after meeting U S and Chinese envoys in Beijing on Tuesday, nearly a year after it pulled out of the talks complaining of a U S scheme to destroy its leadership.

''The North Korean nuclear problem is an element of threat against our security,'' Roh said. ''I think the element of security threat has grown especially with the nuclear test.

''But I think the most important thing is there should not be exaggeration,'' Roh said, adding questions about the motives for the test, including whether the North would ever use a nuclear weapon against the South, must be carefully considered.

''I believe all of you are able to come up with your own answers,'' Roh said.

Reuters