GENEVA, September 9. /TASS/. Russia is deeply concerned over reports that North Korea has conducted a nuclear test, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday.
"We are seriously concerned over the nuclear test. The resolutions of the UN Security Council must be strictly implemented," Russia’s top diplomat said.
Russian Foreign Ministry's stance on North Korea's nuclear test
Moscow has denounced the new nuclear test carried out by North Korea and urged Pyongyang to fully abandon its nuclear missile programs. The Russian Forein Ministry demands that Pyongyang abandon its nuclear missile programs and return to the non-proliferation regime, the ministry said.
"On September 9, DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) in violation of the corresponding resolutions of the UN Security Council carried out another nuclear test," the ministry said. "This defiance of the international law norms and the world community’s opinion deserves the strongest condemnation."
"North Korea’s actions, aimed at undermining the global nonproliferation regime, pose a serious threat to peace and security on the Korean peninsula and in the Asia-Pacific region," the Russian Foreign Ministry said. "This will have negative consequences primarily for North Korea itself."
"We insist that the North Korean side should stop its dangerous adventures, strictly comply with all the UN Security Council requirements, completely abandon its nuclear missile programs and return to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons", the Russian Foreign Ministry added.
- Chinese top diplomat says still possible to resolve Korean Peninsula issue politically
- South Korean president warns North Korea missile launches may hamper dialogue — Yonhap
- Kim Jong-un says peace on Korean Peninsula fully depends on US position — KCNA
- Putin emphasizes need to abandon rule of force to resolve situation on Korean Peninsula
The statement also says that Russia "calls on all the parties concerned to refrain from steps that could lead to further escalation of tension, and will be ready for the closest coordination of steps with a view to developing an international response to Pyongyang’s provocative actions." The Russian side remains firmly committed to a political and diplomatic settlement of the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula through appropriate negotiations.
US and Japan's reaction
Lavrov said he plans to discuss this issue with his Japanese counterpart.
"We will have a pause in talks (with John Kerry)," the Russian foreign minister explained.
US Secretary of State John Kerry has also expressed concerns over the nuclear test, saying Washington will address this issue at the UN Security Council.
"We're trying to monitor to precisely find out what took place," Kerry said beginning his talks with Lavrov in Geneva. China, Russia and the US share these concerns with North Korea’s neighbor countries Japan and South Korea, he added.
North Korea successfully carried out its fifth nuclear test on Friday. Pyongyang said it confirmed that a nuclear warhead can be mounted on the country’s ballistic rockets.
The blast had the explosive power of 10 kilotonnes, South Korea’s defense ministry said. North Korea has previously conducted four nuclear tests: in 2006, in 2009, in 2013 and in January 2016.