UN chief warns NKorea situation could become 'uncontrollable'

UN chief Ban Ki-Moon warned today that a small incident could provoke an "uncontrollable" situation on the Korean peninsula after North Korea warned of impending "thermo-nuclear" war.

"The current level of tension is very dangerous, a small incident caused by miscalculation or misjudgement may create an uncontrollable situation," Ban said during a visit to Rome."I have urged the countries concerned in and around the Korean peninsula to exercise their influence on the North Korean leadership," he said."I have spoken to the Chinese leadership and I am going to discuss this with President (Barack) Obama on Thursday," he added."The level of tension on the Korean peninsula is not helpful to anybody," he said, adding that all parties should "calm down the tensions and initiate dialogue".

    
Ban also called on North Korea to re-open the Kaesong industrial complex saying it was "one of the most successful cooperation projects between South and North" and could help build ties.
    

North Korea said today the Korean peninsula was headed for "thermo-nuclear" war and advised foreigners in South Korea to consider evacuation -- a warning that was largely greeted with indifference.
    
It followed a similar warning last week to foreign embassies in its capital Pyongyang to consider evacuating by April 10, with the North saying it could not ensure the safety of their personnel if conflict broke out.