PM condemns N Korea nuclear test

PRIME Minister John Howard today strongly condemned a nuclear weapons test by North Korea, saying seismic activity confirmed a test had taken place.

“I am advised that there is seismic confirmation that North Korea conducted a nuclear test earlier today,” he told Parliament.

“In those circumstances I would condemn, and I would assume I would have the unanimous agreement of the House in doing so, the test in the strongest possible terms.”

North Korea this morning announced it had conducted its first ever atomic bomb test, in defiance of global opinion.

Last week Pyongyang revealed its plans to test a nuclear bomb.

Officials in Seoul said South Korea's intelligence agency had detected a 3.58 magnitude seismic tremor at the time of the test.

Mr Howard said North Korea was mistaken if it thought that a nuclear test would improve its bargaining power.

Last week the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a statement urging North Korea to abandon its test plans and return to the six-party talks. Mr Howard said developments with North Korea would be a significant test for the UN.

“This issue represents a great challenge to the United Nations,” he said.

“We on this side of the House are often told we don't pay enough regard to the processes of the United Nations.

“If the United Nations is to come up to scratch on this issue ... it will win great respect and an enhanced reputation, but if the United Nations fails to act effectively against this outrage from North Korea it will represent a further diminution of its authority.”

Australia plans to lobby the United Nations Security Council to take “swift and effective” action against North Korea.

“We will ... advocate a UN Security Council regime against the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) that includes targeted financial and travel sanctions, other trade restrictions and/or aviation restrictions,” Mr Howard said.

“Australia will also actively promote with other like-minded countries a concerted strong international response through key regional mechanisms such as APEC and the ASEAN regional forum.”

Mr Howard described it as outrageous that North Korea relied on the international community to feed its starving population while devoting scarce resources to nuclear programs.

“The test has destabilised the region, it's eroded North Korea's own security,” he said.

“A strong international response is called for and Australia will give full support to that response.”

Pyongyang pulled out of six-party talks about its nuclear ambitions last year.

"I am advised that there is seismic confirmation that North Korea conducted a nuclear test earlier today," he said in Parliament. "In those circumstances I would condemn, and I would assume I would have the unanimous agreement of the House in doing so, the test in the strongest possible terms."

North Korea this morning announced it had conducted its first ever atomic bomb test, in defiance of global opinion.

Last week Pyongyang revealed its plans to test a nuclear bomb.

Officials in Seoul said South Korea's intelligence agency had detected a 3.58 magnitude seismic tremor at the time of the test.

Mr Howard said North Korea was mistaken if it thought that a nuclear test would improve its bargaining power.

"The test has destabilised the region, it's eroded North Korea's own security," he said.

"A strong international response is called for and Australia will give full support to that response."

Pyongyang pulled out of six-party talks about its nuclear ambitions last year.

Last week the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a statement urging North Korea to abandon its test plans and return to the six-party talks.

Mr Howard said developments with North Korea would be a significant test for the UN.

"This issue represents a great challenge to the United Nations," he said. "We on this side of the House are often told we don't pay enough regard to the processes of the United Nations.

"If the United Nations is to come up to scratch on this issue ... it will win great respect and an enhanced reputation, but if the United Nations fails to act effectively against this outrage from North Korea it will represent a further diminution of its authority."

Australia plans to lobby the United Nations Security Council to take "swift and effective" action against North Korea.

"We will ... advocate a UN Security Council regime against the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) that includes targeted financial and travel sanctions, other trade restrictions and/or aviation restrictions," Mr Howard said.

"Australia will also actively promote with other like-minded countries a concerted strong international response through key regional mechanisms such as APEC and the ASEAN regional forum."

Mr Howard described it as outrageous that North Korea relied on the international community to feed its starving population while devoting scarce resources to nuclear programs.