Government condemns N Korea test

Winston Peters

The Government has condemned North Korea for the nuclear test it claims to have carried out.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters said if the claims were true, North Korea had acted in an irrational way that ignored the clear advice of the United Nations Security Council and the international community.

"Such action is unpardonable and inconsistent with the behaviour expected of a state seeking security and other guarantees from the global community," he said in a statement.

"New Zealand joins others in condemning North Korea, we absolutely reject the use of nuclear weapons and the testing of nuclear weapons."

Mr Peters issued his statement shortly after North Korea said it had "safely and successfully" carried out an underground nuclear test.

Mr Peters said the Government was "profoundly concerned" by North Korea's flagrant disregard for regional and international peace and security.

"A nuclear test will be viewed by many as having crossed the red line and represents an extreme escalation of North Korea's previous unacceptable behaviour, such as the missiles launched on July 5," he said.

"For China, Japan and South Korea, this test changes the security environment. We will talk with those countries and others about prudent and effective ways to deal with the situation."

Mr Peters said North Korea should return to the six-party talks on ending its nuclear programme without preconditions.

- NZPA