Tests condemned ... the North Korean Ambassador has been called to a Foreign Affairs Department meeting. (file photo)
Last Update: Wednesday, October 4, 2006. 7:58pm (AEST)

N Korean Ambassador warned of nuclear test consequences

Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer says Australia will have to think through whether it wants to continue diplomatic relations with North Korea if the country goes ahead with a nuclear test.

The North Korean Ambassador was summoned to a meeting with a senior Foreign Affairs official who outlined Australia's grave concerns.

Ambassador Chon Jae Hong was called in for a half-hour meeting with the Acting Departmental Secretary David Spencer.

In a statement released this afternoon Mr Downer says the Ambassador was warned of severe consequences if a test goes ahead, including new restrictions on the bilateral relationship with Australia.

"Australia has repeatedly told the North Korean Government that the bilateral relationship will remain on hold pending North Korea's progress toward implementing commitments it made in a Joint Statement issued by members of the six-party talks in September 2005."

But speaking to ABC Radio's PM program, Mr Downer would not be drawn on whether it would result in an end to diplomatic ties between the two countries.

"Well we'd have a look at that, I mean it hasn't happened yet, so I mean it may not happen," he said.

"Analysts tend to think it will, that if North Korea says that it's going to conduct a test then it will conduct a test, but they may endeavour to conduct a test and it may not succeed.

"If that's the case, we wouldn't know they'd even tried because it would be almost impossible to detect a failed test.

"So, I think we're very much in the stage of waiting and seeing but making sure that we as an international community, including us, we make strong representations at this stage so the North Koreans know that there will be severe consequences."

Mr Downer says Australia has already started discussions with other countries.

"The issue of diplomatic relations is one thing, it's a symbolic issue," he said.

"More profoundly would be any practical consequences for the regime in Pyongyang, and that'll be what the international community, including us, will be talking about."