DPRK's nuclear test will be mistake: US envoy
Updated: 2013-01-24 15:30
(Xinhua)
|
|||||||||||
SEOUL - A possible nuclear test by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will be a "supremely unhelpful and retrograde step," the top US envoy said Thursday, on the same day the DPRK vowed to proceed with such tests aimed at Washington.
Glyn Davies, the US envoy on DPRK policy, arrived in Seoul Wednesday as part of his three-nation Asia tour aimed at discussing follow-up actions to expanded UN sanctions on the DPRK over its December 12 satellite launch.
The DPRK has defended its right to launch a satellite for peaceful and scientific purposes, while its critics, including the United States and the Republic of Korea, saw the launch as a disguised ballistic missile test and speculated it might be followed by a nuclear test.
"It will be a mistake and a missed opportunity if they were to do it," the envoy told reporters in reference to a possible third nuclear test by Pyongyang.
"This is not a moment to increase tensions on the Korean peninsula. This is a moment to cease the opportunity that has been out there with the new government in Seoul (and) with the renewed mandate of the president of the United States," he added.
Stressing that the 15-member UN body unanimously adopted the resolution, Davies said the move "sends a unified message" to Pyongyang that it should live up to its obligations and abandon its nuclear weapons and missiles.
"Or you will only further isolate your nation and impoverish your people," Davies said in a curt message to the DPRK, while adding that the United States is "still open to authentic and credible negotiations."
The remarks were followed by a statement by the DPRK's National Defense Commission, which vowed to proceed with the "high-level nuclear test" and continue long-rocket rocket launches.
"We do not hide that the various satellites and long-range rockets we will continue to launch, as well as the high-level nuclear test we will proceed with, are aimed at our arch-enemy the United States," state-run KCNA news agency quoted the commission as saying.
Pyongyang conducted its first and second nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009, weeks after UN condemnations and sanctions over long-range rocket launches.
Glyn Davies, who is accompanied by Clifford Hart, the chief US envoy for six-party nuclear talks, is scheduled to make stops in China and Japan.
Related Stories
Foreigners allowed to bring cellphones to DPRK 2013-01-20 16:21
Washington warns DPRK against 'provocative steps' 2013-01-17 00:29
DPRK fishermen rescued from sinking boat 2013-01-15 18:55
DPRK calls for UN Command dissolution,peace treaty 2013-01-14 15:24
DPRK reported to be planning nuclear test 2013-01-14 08:05
DPRK footballer Jong Tae-se transfers to K-League 2013-01-11 11:14
Today's Top News
President Xi confident in recovery from quake
H7N9 update: 104 cases, 21 deaths
Telecom workers restore links
Coal mine blast kills 18 in Jilin
Intl scholarship puts China on the map
More bird flu patients discharged
Gold loses sheen, but still a safe bet
US 'turns blind eye to human rights'
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
All-out efforts to save lives |
Liaoning: China's oceangoing giant |
Poultry industry under pressure |
'Spring' in the air for NGOs? |
Boy set to drive Chinese golf |
Latest technology gets people talking |