Nations step up efforts to halt nuke test

SOUTH KOREA and Russia were yesterday stepping up efforts to prevent North Korea from carrying out a nuclear test.

The president of South Korea reportedly ordered his government to send a “grave warning” to North Korea about the consequences of a nuclear test, while Russia said it was trying to dissuade Pyongyang from conducting it.

Japan’s Kyodo News agency said a US military plane capable of detecting radiation took off from southern Japan, believed to be part of US efforts to monitor signs of a North Korean test.

North Korea threatened on Tuesday to conduct a nuclear test to prove it is a nuclear power.

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun huddled in Seoul with his top security adviser and ordered his government to send the “grave warning” to North Korea about the consequences of a test, Yonhap news agency reported.

Mr Roh also ordered the government to draw up a “contingency plan” if the nuclear stand-off with North Korea worsens, Yonhap reported, citing unidentified presidential staff.

However, he instructed his government to step up diplomatic efforts to forestall a North Korean test.

In Warsaw, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said: “We are working with the leadership of North Korea to stop steps that could negatively impact the situation.”