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N Korea warned over nuclear test N Korea warned over nuclear test
(40 minutes later)
North Korea would be reckless to make good on its announcement to conduct a nuclear test, the US has said, adding that it is raising the issue at the UN. North Korea would be reckless to go ahead with its threat to conduct a nuclear test, the US has said, adding that it is raising the issue at the UN.
Such a move would pose an "unacceptable threat to peace and stability" and the US would work with allies to discourage it, the state department said. A test would pose an "unacceptable threat to peace and stability" and the US would work with allies to discourage it, the state department said.
North Korea said the test would bolster its national security in the face of US military hostility. North Korea said its planned test would bolster its national security in the face of US military hostility.
No timeframe was given for the test, which was announced on state TV.No timeframe was given for the test, which was announced on state TV.
Japan, South Korea and Russia, which along with the US and China are members of the six-nation talks on the North's nuclear programme, have also expressed concern.Japan, South Korea and Russia, which along with the US and China are members of the six-nation talks on the North's nuclear programme, have also expressed concern.
It would be a threat to peace that is absolutely unforgivable Taro AsoJapanese Foreign Minister In quotes: World reactionIt would be a threat to peace that is absolutely unforgivable Taro AsoJapanese Foreign Minister In quotes: World reaction
No reaction to the news was immediately available from China, one of the North's few allies.No reaction to the news was immediately available from China, one of the North's few allies.
The Chinese have, like the South Koreans, been advocating quiet diplomacy in efforts to get Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear programme, but both countries joined in condemning ballistic missile tests it conducted in the Sea of Japan earlier this year.The Chinese have, like the South Koreans, been advocating quiet diplomacy in efforts to get Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear programme, but both countries joined in condemning ballistic missile tests it conducted in the Sea of Japan earlier this year.
The latest announcement from Pyongyang is bound to put both Beijing and Seoul under renewed pressure to take a tougher line, BBC East Asia regional editor Clare Harkey says.The latest announcement from Pyongyang is bound to put both Beijing and Seoul under renewed pressure to take a tougher line, BBC East Asia regional editor Clare Harkey says.
She adds that a nuclear test by North Korea, with its crumbling infrastructure and struggling economy, would also raise fears on safety grounds.She adds that a nuclear test by North Korea, with its crumbling infrastructure and struggling economy, would also raise fears on safety grounds.
'Grave threat''Grave threat'
The US ambassador to the UN, John Bolton, said he would be raising the possible test in the Security Council on Tuesday and hoped for a strong response similar to the one following missile tests.The US ambassador to the UN, John Bolton, said he would be raising the possible test in the Security Council on Tuesday and hoped for a strong response similar to the one following missile tests.
KOREAN NUCLEAR 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 testsOct 2006: N Korea threatens nuclear test N Korean statement on test N Korea nuclear timelineKOREAN NUCLEAR 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 testsOct 2006: N Korea threatens nuclear test N Korean statement on test N Korea nuclear timeline
"Given the very strong action by the council in July in condemning the North Korean ballistic missile tests, I think it's important that we're prepared to follow up here," he said."Given the very strong action by the council in July in condemning the North Korean ballistic missile tests, I think it's important that we're prepared to follow up here," he said.
"Obviously the ballistic missiles, if mated with nuclear weapons, would be a very grave threat to international peace and security.""Obviously the ballistic missiles, if mated with nuclear weapons, would be a very grave threat to international peace and security."
Echoing the state department, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said the North's announcement was "troubling" and would further isolate North Korea from the rest of the world.Echoing the state department, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said the North's announcement was "troubling" and would further isolate North Korea from the rest of the world.
US President George W Bush was "seeking a peaceful, diplomatic solution", he added.US President George W Bush was "seeking a peaceful, diplomatic solution", he added.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the nuclear test plans were unacceptable and would be met "harshly".Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the nuclear test plans were unacceptable and would be met "harshly".
South Korea's government went into emergency security talks, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called for restraint and a diplomatic solution.South Korea's government went into emergency security talks, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called for restraint and a diplomatic solution.
In London, Foreign Office officials warned of "serious consequences" to what would be regarded as "a highly provocative act".In London, Foreign Office officials warned of "serious consequences" to what would be regarded as "a highly provocative act".
Arms race fearsArms race fears
North Korea is thought to have developed a handful of warheads but never before announced it would test one.North Korea is thought to have developed a handful of warheads but never before announced it would test one.
US and South Korean reports suggest the North has at least one underground test site.US and South Korean reports suggest the North has at least one underground test site.
The announcement comes with the six-nation talks stalled for a year, and correspondents say a successful nuclear test would signal the end of international negotiations and threaten a dangerous arms race in East Asia.The announcement comes with the six-nation talks stalled for a year, and correspondents say a successful nuclear test would signal the end of international negotiations and threaten a dangerous arms race in East Asia.
The North appears increasingly angry at sanctions imposed by the US and other countries on North Korean businesses accused of arms sales and illegal activities.The North appears increasingly angry at sanctions imposed by the US and other countries on North Korean businesses accused of arms sales and illegal activities.
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.