Security Council strongly condemns DPRK nuclear test

The state-run Korean Central News Agency said later that the DPRK had successfully conducted a nuclear test aimed at checking the power of its nuclear warheads.

“Today the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, regardless of universal opposition from the global community, conducted another nuclear test, to which the Chinese government is firmly opposed”, the ministry said in a statement.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has denounced North Korea’s nuclear test on Friday as a “clear violation” of UN Security Council resolutions and a “troubling and regrettable” action.

“Scientists and technicians of the DPRK carried out a nuclear explosion test for the judgment of the power of a nuclear warhead newly studied and manufactured by them at the northern nuclear test ground under the plan of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) for building strategic nuclear force”.

“In line with this commitment and the gravity of this violation, the members of the Security Council will begin to work immediately on appropriate measures under Article 41 in a Security Council resolution”, said the statement.

The ministry launched the emergency response class II at 08:35 hours (local time), after the DPRK detected an quake of magnitude 5.0 at 08:30 hours (local time), which they suspect could be the fifth nuclear test in the country. The latest one adopted in March imposes the most severe sanctions yet on the country, including an export ban and asset freeze.

The Security Council has adopted five resolutions to curb the DPRK’s nuclear and missile programs.

“China’s stance has always been to achieve denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, prevent nuclear proliferation and maintain peace and stability in Northeast Asia”, said Hua Chunying, Chinese Foreign Ministry.

The Chinese foreign ministry on Friday issued a statement, conveying its “firm opposition” to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea over its latest nuclear test.

Beijing urged Pyongyang to stop any provocative actions which can further deteriorate the situation in the region.