SECRETARY-GENERAL SHARES GLOBAL CONCERN OVER DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC

OF KOREA’S INTENTION TO CONDUCT NUCLEAR TEST

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General shares the global concern regarding the declared intention by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to conduct a nuclear test in the future.  Such action, if undertaken, would further aggravate tensions in the region.  It would bring universal condemnation by the international community and will not help the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea achieve the goals expressed in its statement, particularly with regard to strengthening its security.

The Secretary-General urges the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea leadership to exercise utmost restraint and adhere to the international community’s norm on nuclear testing and also observe the current moratorium.  The Secretary-General believes that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea should return to the six-party talks so that the nuclear issue on the Peninsula, as well as other security concerns between and among the parties, could be solved through negotiations.

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For information media • not an official record