NKorea's defiance warrants international action: Obama

I / Wahington May 25, 2009, 13:52 IST

Accusing North Korea of "directly" and "recklessly" challenging the global community by conducting a second nuclear test, US President Barack Obama today said this defiance "warrants action" internationally.     

Terming the tests a "threat to international peace", Obama said: "these actions while not a surprise given the statements and actions to date, are a matter of grave concern to all nations".     

North Korea's attempts to develop nuclear weapons, as well as its ballistic missile programme in "direct defiance" of the UN Security Council, constitutes a threat to international peace and security," he said.      

Observing that North Korea's behaviour increases tension and undermines stability in Northeast Asia, Obama said such threatening activities by Pyongyang "warrant action by the international community".      

The President's statement was issued by the White House at 0210 hours, indicating that the new US administration has taken the development very seriously.      

"Today, North Korea said that it has conducted a nuclear test in violation of international law. It appears to also have attempted a short range missile launch. These actions, while not a surprise given its statements and actions to date, are a matter of grave concern to all nations," Obama said.

He said such "provocations" will only serve to deepen North Korea's isolation and the country will not find "international acceptance" unless it abandons its pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.      

"We have been and will continue working with our allies and partners in the Six-Party Talks as well as other members of the UN Security Council in the days ahead," Obama, who returned from his Camp David weekend vacation, a day early than earlier scheduled said.      

Meanwhile, a State Department official said the US Geological Survey confirmed that a seismic event was detected consistent with a nuclear test announced by North Korea.      

"We are gravely concerned by North Korea's claims. We are analysing data... We are consulting with our Six-Party and UNSC partners on next steps," the official said.      

Executive Secretary of the Preparatory Commission for Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO), Tibor Toth, said the test constitutes threat to international peace and security and to the nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament regime.      

"I am gravely concerned by this action. In particular, it is a serious violation of the norm established by CTBT and as such deserves universal condemnation," Toth said in a statement issued in Vienna, Austria.