Nations step up efforts to halt nuke 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.”
