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N Korea 'to conduct nuclear test' N Korea 'to conduct nuclear test'
(10 minutes later)
North Korea is to conduct a nuclear test "in the future", the foreign ministry has said in a statement.North Korea is to conduct a nuclear test "in the future", the foreign ministry has said in a statement.
The move would bolster the country's self-defence in the face of US military hostility, official agency KCNA said.The move would bolster the country's self-defence in the face of US military hostility, official agency KCNA said.
Pyongyang has faced mounting pressure over its nuclear programme. It is thought to have a handful of warheads but is not known to have tested one.Pyongyang has faced mounting pressure over its nuclear programme. It is thought to have a handful of warheads but is not known to have tested one.
Japanese PM Shinzo Abe said the plans were unacceptable and the international community would respond "harshly".Japanese PM Shinzo Abe said the plans were unacceptable and the international community would respond "harshly".
Six-nation talks on its programme have been stalled for nearly a year, and the US has imposed financial sanctions on North Korean businesses.Six-nation talks on its programme have been stalled for nearly a year, and the US has imposed financial sanctions on North Korean businesses.
'Grave situation''Grave situation'
The statement from Pyongyang said it would "in the future conduct a nuclear test under the condition where safety is firmly guaranteed", though it did not state when.The statement from Pyongyang said it would "in the future conduct a nuclear test under the condition where safety is firmly guaranteed", though it did not state when.
COUNTDOWN TO CRISIS Sept 2005: Hailed as an historic breakthrough, North Korea agrees to give up nuclear activitiesNext day, N Korea says it will not scrap its activities unless it gets a civilian nuclear reactorUS imposes financial sanctions on N Korea businessesJuly 2006: N Korea test-fires seven missilesUN Security Council votes to impose sanctions over the tests N Korean statement in full N Korea nuclear timelineCOUNTDOWN TO CRISIS Sept 2005: Hailed as an historic breakthrough, North Korea agrees to give up nuclear activitiesNext day, N Korea says it will not scrap its activities unless it gets a civilian nuclear reactorUS imposes financial sanctions on N Korea businessesJuly 2006: N Korea test-fires seven missilesUN Security Council votes to impose sanctions over the tests N Korean statement in full N Korea nuclear timeline
"The US daily increasing threat of a nuclear war and its vicious sanctions and pressure have caused a grave situation on the Korean Peninsula," it said."The US daily increasing threat of a nuclear war and its vicious sanctions and pressure have caused a grave situation on the Korean Peninsula," it said.
The ministry went on to say that "under the present situation in which the US moves to isolate and stifle" North Korea, the country "can no longer remain an onlooker to the developments."The ministry went on to say that "under the present situation in which the US moves to isolate and stifle" North Korea, the country "can no longer remain an onlooker to the developments."
The move comes after the UN imposed sanctions on North Korea in July, for test-firing seven missiles including a long-range Taepodong-2 - believed to be capable of reaching Alaska.The move comes after the UN imposed sanctions on North Korea in July, for test-firing seven missiles including a long-range Taepodong-2 - believed to be capable of reaching Alaska.
The missile tests also prompted South Korea to suspend aid to the North, and correspondents say China had been showing signs of frustration with its old Communist ally.The missile tests also prompted South Korea to suspend aid to the North, and correspondents say China had been showing signs of frustration with its old Communist ally.
Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso called the new test plans "totally unforgivable", Kyodo agency reported.Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso called the new test plans "totally unforgivable", Kyodo agency reported.
"Our response will be severe. This is more serious than the North's missile tests," he said."Our response will be severe. This is more serious than the North's missile tests," he said.
A successful nuclear test would put pressure on Japan and South Korea to develop their own nuclear capabilities.A successful nuclear test would put pressure on Japan and South Korea to develop their own nuclear capabilities.
Nuclear claimsNuclear claims
North Korea claims to have nuclear weapons and to be working on building up its arsenal.North Korea claims to have nuclear weapons and to be working on building up its arsenal.
In 2002 it restarted its nuclear reactor at Yongbyon and forced two UN nuclear monitors to leave the country.In 2002 it restarted its nuclear reactor at Yongbyon and forced two UN nuclear monitors to leave the country.
It is unclear how far work has progressed at the plant since then.It is unclear how far work has progressed at the plant since then.
Washington is not only concerned about the development of such weapons in North Korea, but also wants to curb Pyongyang's capacity to export missile and nuclear technology to other states or organisations.Washington is not only concerned about the development of such weapons in North Korea, but also wants to curb Pyongyang's capacity to export missile and nuclear technology to other states or organisations.

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