DPRK’s latest nuke test draws strong condemnation from int’l community

BEIJING, Sept. 4  — The latest nuclear test by the Democratic
People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has continued to arouse strong
condemnation by countries and international organizations alike, which
called for addressing the new provocation and resuming dialogue to solve
problems.

Pyongyang on Sunday detonated a hydrogen bomb capable of being carried by
an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the sixth nuclear test it has
undertaken, running counter to relevant UN Security Council resolutions and
the goal to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. The test was reportedly
conducted at the order of top leader Kim Jong Un, who chaired a meeting of
the standing committee of the political bureau of the Workers’ Party of
Korea on the Korean Peninsula situation and decided to conduct the H-bomb
test.U.S. President Donald Trump called the words and actions of the DPRK
“very hostile and dangerous” to his country.In a number of tweets, Trump
called the DPRK “has become a great threat”.

The Russian Foreign Ministry voiced “deep concern” over the test, a move
that “deserves the strongest condemnation.”The test of a thermonuclear
explosive device for an ICBM violated the requirements of relevant UN
Security Council resolutions and the norms of international law, the
ministry said in a statement.”It is regrettable that the DPRK leadership,
through its actions aimed at undermining the global non-proliferation
regime, poses a serious threat to peace and security on the Korean
Peninsula and in the region as a whole,” the statement read. Continuation
of such a line is fraught with serious consequences for the DPRK itself, it
warned. “It is imperative to remain calm and refrain from any actions that
lead to further escalation of tension,” it said.

The Russian foreign ministry called on all interested parties to
immediately return to dialogue and negotiations, which is the only possible
way to solve the Korean Peninsula problems.”We reaffirm our readiness for
joint efforts in this direction, including in the context of the
implementation of the Russian-Chinese roadmap,” it said. Canadian Prime
Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement that Canada unequivocally
condemns the DPRK’s nuclear test which, combined with its aggressive
program of ballistic missile testing, represents a clear and present threat
to the safety and security of its neighbors and the international
community. “This most recent test, which appears to have been of a much
greater magnitude than its five previous nuclear explosions, is in direct
contravention of multiple UN Security Council resolutions, and demonstrates
once again North Korea’s flagrant disregard of international law,” he said.

The prime minister said Canada has been steadfast in insisting that the
DPRK abandon its current course, including its aggressive rhetoric, and
asks that it resumes constructive dialogue toward a comprehensive and
verifiable solution. “We urge the UN Security Council to take further
decisive action to effectively constrain North Korea’s proliferation
efforts, and call on all states to fully implement relevant UN sanctions,”
he added. Following the DPRK’s nuclear test, French President Emmanuel
Macron urged the UN Security Council and the European Union (EU) to
react.In a statement issued by the Elysee Palace, Macron “condemns in the
strongest term” the nuclear test following a series of tests of ballistic
missiles, saying that it shows “Pyongyang’s repeated will to infringe
international peace and security.” “The president calls on the members of
the UN Security Council to react quickly to this new violation by the DPRK
of international law. He also calls for a united and clear response from
the EU,” the statement read.

France reiterated its support to its allies and partners in the region,
the statement added. “The international community must address this new
provocation with the utmost firmness in order to induce the DPRK to
unconditionally resume dialogue and to proceed with the complete,
verifiable and irreversible dismantling of its nuclear and ballistic
programs,” it concluded. Turkish Foreign Ministry called the DPRK’s latest
nuclear test an “irresponsible” and “provocative” act as the tension rises
on the Korean peninsula. “We regard the hydrogen bomb test conducted by the
DPRK on Sept. 3, 2017 in total disregard of international law as well as
regional peace and security, as an irresponsible and provocative act and
condemn it in the strongest terms,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a
written statement.

The EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini urged the DPRK to “abandon
its nuclear, weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs in
a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner and immediately cease all
related activities.” “The DPRK must engage in a credible and meaningful
dialogue, aimed at pursuing the complete, verifiable and irreversible
denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the full implementation of all
relevant UN Security Council resolutions,” he said in a statement. The UN
nuclear watchdog stressed that the DPRK completely disregarded the repeated
demands of the international community. “Today’s nuclear test by the DPRK
is an extremely regrettable act,” said Yukiya Amano, director-general of
the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in a press release on
Sunday.”I strongly urge the DPRK to fully implement all relevant
resolutions of the UN Security Council and the IAEA,” said Amano. – XINHUA