Washington - US President Barack Obama on Monday condemned
North Korea as a 'threat to international peace and security,' after
the regime in Pyongyang announced it had conducted a new nuclear
test.
The reclusive regime was also said to have test-fired a short-
range missile.
The White House put out an immediate statement from Obama in which
he called the country's actions 'a matter of grave concern to all
nations.'
Obama said: 'North Korea's attempts to develop nuclear weapons, as
well as its ballistic missile program, constitute a threat to
international peace and security.
'By acting in blatant defiance of the United Nations Security
Council, North Korea is directly and recklessly challenging the
international community.
'North Korea's behavior increases tensions and undermines
stability in Northeast Asia. Such provocations will only serve to
deepen North Korea's isolation. It will not find international
acceptance unless it abandons its pursuit of weapons of mass
destruction and their means of delivery.
'The danger posed by North Korea's threatening activities warrants
action by the international community. We have been and will continue
working with our allies and partners in the Six-Party Talks as well
as other members of the UN Security Council in the days ahead.'
Obama added that the announcement of the test and the reports of
the missile launch 'were not a surprise, given its actions and
statements to date.'
The state-run KCNA new agency in North Korea said Monday's test
was more powerful than the previous one, conducted in October 2006.
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