Annan urges talks over North Korea

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has today urged North Korea not to escalate an “extremely difficult” situation and called on the US to hold bilateral talks with the communist nation.

Mr Annan expressed concern at North Korea’s reported nuclear test on Monday, its threat to conduct another test and warning that UN sanctions would be tantamount to a declaration of war – moves which have heightened tensions especially in Japan and South Korea.