World leaders condemn nuclear test

The European Union and Japan condemned North Korea’s nuclear test today as a violation of UN sanctions.

Several world leaders, including US president Barack Obama, suggested that they would bring the matter to the UN Security Council.

The test – North Korea’s second since 2006 – drew near universal disapproval, although China made no immediate response.

Mr Obama said in a statement: “North Korea is directly and recklessly challenging the international community. North Korea’s behaviour increases tensions and undermines stability in north east Asia.”

Mr Obama said Washington will be working in the days ahead with the Security Council and other nations that have been trying to persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear ambitions.

Japanese prime minister Taro Aso reacted even more sternly, calling the test a violation of UN sanctions.

Mr Aso said: “It is unacceptable.”

He added that an emergency meeting of the Security Council expected in New York later today would deal with the test.

Japan is particularly sensitive to such actions because its territory is within North Korean missile range.

In Brussels, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, denounced the test as a flagrant violation of Security Council resolutions.

Mr Solana said in a statement: “These irresponsible acts by North Korea warrant a firm response by the international community. The European Union will be in contact with its partners to discuss appropriate measures.”

French foreign ministry spokesman Eric Chevallier suggested the Security Council might discuss “the strengthening of sanctions”.

North Korea has been under UN sanctions that bar it from nuclear and ballistic activity since its first atomic test in 2006.

A rocket launch in April that North Korea said put a satellite into orbit but critics called a test of long-range missile technology drew further condemnation from the world body.

In response, North Korea announced that it was withdrawing from talks aimed at halting its nuclear programme and said it would restore atomic facilities it had begun disabling under those negotiations.

Today’s move was seen as reflecting North Korea’s defiance in the face of the criticism in April.

North Korea’s official KCNA news agency reported today that a successful underground nuclear test was “safely conducted on a new higher level in terms of its explosive power and technology of its control”.

Russia’s defence ministry said it confirmed the test and estimated its yield at 10 to 20 kilotons – a size comparable to the bombs that flattened Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Defence ministry spokesman Alexander Drobyshevsky said the test was conducted about 50 miles north west of the city of Kilchu.

South Korea called the test a threat to world peace.

South Korean foreign minister Yu Myung-hwan said: “We are seriously concerned about North Korea’s second test of a nuclear device. It’s a direct threat against the peace and stability in the region as well as to the world.”

Swedish foreign minister Carl Bildt, speaking in Hanoi where EU and south east Asian leaders are due to meet, said the announcement appeared to be true and called it “alarming”.

Australian foreign minister Stephen Smith said final confirmation may take days, but Australia is proceeding as if the reports are true and called the test a “flagrant breach of its international obligations” and a violation of UN sanctions that should be condemned.

Nuclear-capable India was also strongly against North Korea’s test.

Defence minister AK Antony said in New Delhi: “India is against nuclear proliferation. It’s a matter of very serious concern not only to India, but to the world.”