South Korea warns North against nuclear test

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun has ordered his government to send a “grave warning” to North Korea about the consequences of a threatened nuclear weapons test.

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

At the same time, Roh instructed the South Korean government to step up diplomatic efforts to forestall a North Korean test, the report said.

Roh’s orders came after a meeting with his top security adviser, according to Yonhap.