A North Korean nuclear test would be "very provocative"

dpa German Press Agency
Published: Tuesday October 3, 2006

Washington- US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Tuesday that a North Korean test of a nuclear bomb would be "very provocative" and represents a threat to East Asia. "It would be a very provocative act by the North Koreans," Rice said while travelling in Cairo.

North Korea announced on Tuesday it was preparing to test a nuclear weapon for the first time, sparking international concerns. US media reported that American intelligence had detected an increase of activity at a possible test site in North Korea.

Rice has urged North Korea to rejoin six-nation talks aimed at ending the dispute, and said Tuesday that Pyongyang's testing of a nuclear device would also be a "serious issue" that East Asian nations must confront.

North Korea tested a ballistic missile in early July, prompting the Security Council to pass a resolution demanding that Pyongyang halt all missile testing, return to six-party talks and called on other nations to ensure no technology that could be used to aid nuclear and missile development be sold to North Korea.

North Korea has refused to resume discussions since the six countries met a year ago in Beijing. The nations involved in the negotiations are China, Japan, Russia, the United States and two Koreas.

© 2006 dpa German Press Agency