Japan, South Korea condemn North Korea nuclear test

Japan and South Korea on Tuesday denounced North Korea's third nuclear test as a violation of UN resolutions banning Pyongyang from pursuing nuclear or ballistic missile programs. "North Korea's nuclear test violated the UN Security Council's resolution and we will lodge a stern protest and condemn it," Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said in a statement after Pyongyang confirmed it conducted its third nuclear test on Tuesday. "The North's third test is a serious threat to Japan's security and undermines the peace and stability of northeast Asia and the world. It is absolutely unacceptable," said Abe. The government set up a special task force at Abe's office and held a national security meeting to deal with North Korea's latest nuclear test. Earlier in the day, North Korea confirmed it conducted its third underground nuclear test, saying that "the successful nuclear test was carried out at a high level in a safe and perfect manner using a miniaturized and lighter nuclear device with greater explosive force than previously." The official confirmation by the North came as meteorological authorities in Japan, South Korea, the US and China issued reports of an artificial earthquake before noon in the northeastern part of North Korea, where the country's Punggye-ri underground nuclear test site is located. Pyongyang carried out nuclear tests in October 2006 and May 2009, sparking strong criticism then from the international community. The South Korean government also condemned Pyongyang's latest nuclear test, saying it is an "unacceptable threat" to peace and stability in the region and a "head-on challenge" to the international community, according to Seoul's Yonhap News Agency. The government also warned that Pyongyang will be seriously held accountable for its defiance in an official statement issued after President Lee Myung-bak held an emergency meeting of the National Security Council. The nuclear test "is an unacceptable threat to peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and the region and a head-on challenge to the international community," a government statement said. (end) mk.nfm KUNA 121146 Feb 13NNNN