IN PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT, SECURITY COUNCIL URGES DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S

REPUBLIC OF KOREA NOT TO CARRY OUT NUCLEAR TEST

Says Test Would Jeopardize Peace and Security

In Region and Beyond, Bring Universal Condemnation by International Community
 

Reacting with deep concern to a statement by the Foreign Minister of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) that his country would conduct a nuclear test in the near future, the Security Council this afternoon urged the DPRK not to carry out that action, saying it would jeopardize peace and security in the region and beyond.
 

Through a statement read out by its October President, Kenzo Oshima of Japan, (S/PRST/2006/41) the Council stressed that such a test would bring universal condemnation by the international community and would not help the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea address its security concerns.
 

The Council urged the country to return immediately to six-party talks on the issue without preconditions, and to abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programmes.
 

The meeting began at 1:22 p.m. and adjourned at 1:27 p.m.
 

Presidential Statement
 

The complete text of presidential statement S/PRST/2006/41 reads as follows:
 

“The Security Council expresses its deep concern over the statement of 3 October 2006 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), in which it stated that the DPRK would conduct a nuclear test in the future.

“The Security Council reaffirms that the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery constitute a threat to international peace and security.  The Security Council deplores the DPRK’s announcement of withdrawal from the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (the Treaty) and its stated pursuit of nuclear weapons, in spite of its Treaty and International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards obligations.  The Security Council deems that, should the DPRK carry out its threat of a nuclear weapon test, it would jeopardize peace, stability and security in the region and beyond.
 

“The Security Council underlines that such a test would bring universal condemnation by the international community and would not help the DPRK to address the stated concerns, particularly with regard to strengthening its security.  The Security Council urges the DPRK not to undertake such a test and to refrain from any action that might aggravate tension, to work on the resolution of non-proliferation concerns and to facilitate a peaceful and comprehensive solution through political and diplomatic efforts.  The Security Council reiterates the need for the DPRK to comply fully with all the provisions of Security Council resolution 1695 (2006).
 

“The Security Council supports the six-party talks and calls for their early resumption, with a view to achieving the verifiable denuclearization of the Korean peninsula in a peaceful manner and to maintaining peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and in North-East Asia.
 

“The Security Council urges the DPRK to return immediately to the six-party talks without precondition, and to work towards the expeditious implementation of the 19 September 2005 joint statement and, in particular, to abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programmes.

“The Security Council will be monitoring this situation closely.  The Security Council stresses that a nuclear test, if carried out by the DPRK, would represent a clear threat to international peace and security and that, should the DPRK ignore calls of the international community, the Security Council will act consistent with its responsibility under the Charter of the United Nations.”

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