Asian nations discuss measures against North Korea

China today warned North Korea that the reclusive nation’s nuclear test would hurt ties between the long-time allies, while Japan’s leader said the reported blast wouldn’t prompt the Japanese to pursue atomic weapons.

The Asian powers were busy devising ways to punish North Korea in the United Nations, where America was pressing for potentially-crippling new measures against Pyongyang.

China has long opposed sanctions, but Beijing’s patience seemed to be rapidly wearing thin with the North since yesterday’s alleged test.

China’s Foreign Ministry said North Korea’s nuclear test would harm ties between the countries, who fought the American-led UN forces in the Korean War.

“The nuclear test will undoubtedly exert a negative impact on our relations,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao.

But Liu added that China is “firmly against” a military strike against the North.

“Taking military action against North Korea would be unimaginable,” he said.

China, a UN Security Council member, holds a decisive say over how stern a punishment the international community can mete out to North Korea.

A South Korean envoy, returning to Seoul from Beijing, said China appeared to be leaning toward backing strong UN measures.

The North stepped up its threats aimed at Washington, saying it could fire a nuclear nuclear-tipped missile unless the United States acted to resolve its stand-off with Pyongyang, the Yonhap news agency reported from Beijing.

“We hope the situation will be resolved before an unfortunate incident of us firing a nuclear missile comes,” Yonhap quoted an unidentified North Korean official as saying. “That depends on how the US will act.”

The official said the nuclear test was “an expression of our intention to face the United States across the negotiating table,” reported Yonhap, which didn’t say how or where it contacted the official, or why no name was given.

“What we want is security of the (North), including guaranteeing our system,” the official reportedly said.

But Alexander Vershbow, the US ambassador to South Korea, said the nuclear test would make the possibility of direct talks between Washington and Pyongyang more difficult, Yonhap reported.

In Japan, officials discussed military and financial sanctions, but provided few details.

The UN Security Council was weighing a US proposal for potentially crippling sanctions. America has asked the council to adopt a measure that would aim to curb the North’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, prohibit all trade in military and luxury goods, and crack down on illegal financial dealings.

There have been worries that the reported nuclear test would prompt Japan to build its own bomb.

But Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe told politicians Japan’s anti-nuclear policy would remain unchanged.

“There will be no change in our non-nuclear arms principles,” Abe said.

Japan’s pacifist constitution bars the use of force to settle international disputes, and Japan has maintained a policy of not producing, possessing or using nuclear weapons.

South Korea said it believed the North had exploded a nuclear device yesterday, but officials claimed that it might take up to two weeks to confirm whether the test was successful.

Although the reported test drew worldwide condemnation and talk of harsh sanctions, the South said it would stick with its efforts to engage the North, though the policy would be reviewed.

North Korea celebrated a holiday today marking the 61st anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea. There was no traffic across a key bridge on a border river between China and North Korea.

China cancelled leave for its soldiers along the North Korean border and some units were conducting anti-chemical weapons drills, the pro-Beijing Wen Wei Po reported in Hong Kong. The paper didn’t elaborate.