North Korea conducted its third nuclear test on Tuesday in defiance of existing UN resolutions, drawing condemnation from around the world, including from its only major ally, China, which summoned the North Korean ambassador to protest.
The reclusive North said the test was an act of self-defense against "US hostility" and threatened further, stronger steps if necessary.
It said the test had "greater explosive force" than the 2006 and 2009 tests. Its KCNA news agency said it had used a "miniaturized" and lighter nuclear device, indicating that it had again used plutonium which is more suitable for use as a missile warhead.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, the third of his line to rule the country, has presided over two long-range rocket launches and a nuclear test during his first year in power, pursuing policies that have propelled his impoverished and malnourished country closer to becoming a nuclear weapons power.
China, which has shown signs of increasing exasperation with the recent bellicose tone of its neighbor, summoned the North Korean ambassador in Beijing and protested sternly, the Foreign Ministry said.
Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said China was "strongly dissatisfied and resolutely opposed" to the test and urged North Korea to "stop any rhetoric or acts that could worsen situations and return to the right course of dialogue and consultation as soon as possible".
China is a permanent member of the Security Council. US President Barack Obama labeled the test a "highly provocative act" that hurt regional stability and pressed for new sanctions.
"The danger posed by North Korea's threatening activities warrants further swift and credible action by the international community. The United States will also continue to take steps necessary to defend ourselves and our allies," Obama said in a statement.
The Security Council will meet on Tuesday to discuss its reaction to the test, although North Korea is already one of the most heavily sanctioned states in the world and has few external economic links that can be targeted.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the test was a "grave threat" that could not be tolerated.
*UNSC condemnation*
U N Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the test was a "clear and grave violation" of U N Security Council resolutions. The UNSC on Tuesday "strongly condemned" North Korea's third nuclear test and vowed to take "appropriate measures" in response to Pyongyang's action, which the world body said is a "grave violation" and threat to international peace and security.
The powerful UN body, currently under the Presidency of South Korea, discuss the "serious" situation. The Security Council had last month unanimously adopted a resolution in which it had said it would take "significant action" in the event of any further nuclear test by Pyongyang.
"The members of the Security Council strongly condemned this test, which is a grave violation" of Security Council resolutions and "therefore there continues to exist a clear threat to international peace and security," the press statement said. Ban Ki-moon said Pyongyang's "reckless and wanton act" shows outright disregard for the repeated call of the international community to refrain from further provocative measures. Reported by Deccan Herald 1 day ago.
The reclusive North said the test was an act of self-defense against "US hostility" and threatened further, stronger steps if necessary.
It said the test had "greater explosive force" than the 2006 and 2009 tests. Its KCNA news agency said it had used a "miniaturized" and lighter nuclear device, indicating that it had again used plutonium which is more suitable for use as a missile warhead.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, the third of his line to rule the country, has presided over two long-range rocket launches and a nuclear test during his first year in power, pursuing policies that have propelled his impoverished and malnourished country closer to becoming a nuclear weapons power.
China, which has shown signs of increasing exasperation with the recent bellicose tone of its neighbor, summoned the North Korean ambassador in Beijing and protested sternly, the Foreign Ministry said.
Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said China was "strongly dissatisfied and resolutely opposed" to the test and urged North Korea to "stop any rhetoric or acts that could worsen situations and return to the right course of dialogue and consultation as soon as possible".
China is a permanent member of the Security Council. US President Barack Obama labeled the test a "highly provocative act" that hurt regional stability and pressed for new sanctions.
"The danger posed by North Korea's threatening activities warrants further swift and credible action by the international community. The United States will also continue to take steps necessary to defend ourselves and our allies," Obama said in a statement.
The Security Council will meet on Tuesday to discuss its reaction to the test, although North Korea is already one of the most heavily sanctioned states in the world and has few external economic links that can be targeted.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the test was a "grave threat" that could not be tolerated.
*UNSC condemnation*
U N Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the test was a "clear and grave violation" of U N Security Council resolutions. The UNSC on Tuesday "strongly condemned" North Korea's third nuclear test and vowed to take "appropriate measures" in response to Pyongyang's action, which the world body said is a "grave violation" and threat to international peace and security.
The powerful UN body, currently under the Presidency of South Korea, discuss the "serious" situation. The Security Council had last month unanimously adopted a resolution in which it had said it would take "significant action" in the event of any further nuclear test by Pyongyang.
"The members of the Security Council strongly condemned this test, which is a grave violation" of Security Council resolutions and "therefore there continues to exist a clear threat to international peace and security," the press statement said. Ban Ki-moon said Pyongyang's "reckless and wanton act" shows outright disregard for the repeated call of the international community to refrain from further provocative measures. Reported by Deccan Herald 1 day ago.