Political solution needed for Korean peninsula: UN Chief

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday called for a political solution to the situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

He said that nuclear and missile tests by the county created "great instability and tension" on the Korean peninsula, throughout the region and beyond.

"Unity in the Security Council is critical. This week's unanimous adoption of a new resolution sends a clear message that the DPRK must comply fully with its international obligations," Guterres said referring to new sanctions, which among other measures, limit the imports of crude oil and oil products, ban textile exports, and prevent new visas for DPRK workers overseas.

Despite calling on countries to ensure full implementation of this and other relevant Security Council resolutions, Guterres urged the Council to use diplomacy whenever possible.

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea conducted its sixth nuclear test on 3 September 2017, stating it was its first test of a thermonuclear weapon (hydrogen bomb).

The North Korean government said it has detonated a hydrogen bomb that could be loaded onto an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

Photographs of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspecting a device resembling a thermonuclear weapon warhead were released a few hours before the test.