Security Council condemns nuclear test

26 May 2009, 6:36 pm   -   Source: AFP
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The UN Security Council unanimously condemned North Korea for nuclear testing as major powers mulled fresh punitive action.

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The UN Security Council unanimously condemned North Korea for testing a nuclear bomb as major powers mulled fresh punitive action and US President Barack Obama pledged support to Pyongyang's neighbors.

After Monday's emergency meeting at UN headquarters in New York, member states decided to "immediately" begin working on a Security Council resolution to address the latest test, council president Vitaly Churkin of Russia said.

"The members of the Security Council voiced their strong opposition and condemnation of the nuclear test conducted on 25 May 2009 by North Korea," Churkin told reporters.

'Clear violation of Resolution'

The test "constitutes a clear violation of (UN) Resolution 1718," Churkin said referring to the text adopted in October 2006 after North Korea's first nuclear test, forbidding the reclusive regime from conducting any future nuclear tests or missile launches.

Several western diplomats hinted they would seek fresh sanctions against Pyongyang under a new resolution, but the United States has stopped short of mentioning possible sanctions.

"This resolution should include new sanctions in addition to those already adopted because such behavior should have a cost and a price to pay," said French Deputy Permanent Representative Jean-Pierre Lacroix.

'Very serious provocation'

"It is important that North Korea pays a price for its behavior, the very serious provocation of this nuclear test."

Lacroix declined to give details on any new sanctions, which he said would be determined through Security Council negotiations.

The US ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, said the United States "will seek a strong resolution with strong measures."

Rice called the test "a grave violation of international law, and a threat to regional and international peace and security" but refrained from mentioning sanctions.

'A direct threat'

"We believe it ought to be a strong resolution with appropriately strong contents, but obviously unless and until we complete the negotiation process, it is premature to say what its contents will be," Rice added.

Japan's UN ambassador, Yukio Takasu, called the nuclear test "a direct threat to the security of Japan and Asia" and said a future resolution would aim to set "consequences" for Pyongyang's actions.

Japan has been involved in stalled six-party talks aimed at shuttering the North's nuclear program.

Hours before the emergency UN session, North Korea conducted its test -- an underground blast far bigger than its first nuclear test in 2006 -- drawing stern rebukes from global leaders.

Obama labels act 'reckless'

US President Barack Obama warned of "great" danger and condemned the "reckless" act, while Israel stressed "negative implications" in the Middle East.

Even China, the secretive North's closest international ally, expressed "resolute opposition."

Obama spoke by phone late Monday with his South Korean counterpart Lee Myung-Bak and Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso to "coordinate" reaction to North Korea's nuclear test, the White House said.

Obama and Lee agreed "to consult and coordinate our reaction," while in his talks with Aso, Obama reiterated his country's "unequivocal commitment to the defense of Japan and to maintaining peace and security in Northeast Asia."

Compounding the frustration among world leaders, Pyongyang on Tuesday test-fired two short-range missiles, according to South Korea's Yonhap news agency.

Escalation of tensions

The Security Council on April 13 slapped sanctions against North Korea, banning transactions and calling on UN member states to freeze the assets of three business entities of Pyongyang following its April 5 rocket launch.

In response, the North said it was quitting a six-nation nuclear disarmament pact with the United States, China, South Korea, Japan and Russia.

It also said it had stopped cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and reactivated its nuclear installations.

Russia estimated the force of Monday's underground explosion at up to 20 kilotons, far more powerful than the October 2006 test that announced the impoverished communist state had joined the club of world nuclear powers.

The North said the latest nuclear test would "contribute to defending the sovereignty of the country and the nation and socialism, and ensuring peace and security on the Korean peninsula and the region."

 

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