Tests necessary: The embassy official says war could break out at any time. [File photo]
Last Update: Wednesday, October 4, 2006. 11:46am (AEST)

N Korean official defends nuclear test plan

An official from the North Korean embassy in Canberra has defended the country's decision to test nuclear weapons.

The North Korean Government has announced its intention to conduct a nuclear weapons test, prompting international condemnation.

Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer says Australia's objection will be relayed to the North Korean ambassador today.

The minister of the embassy in Canberra, Pak Myong Guk, says his country has no choice but to test nuclear weapons.

"Now the situation around the Korean Peninsula is very tense, it may be breaking out in war at any time, these kinds of nuclear war and sanctions and pressure by the United States compel us to conduct a nuclear test," he said.

"Since the United States is trying to exacerbate the situation intentionally by means of nuclear weapons [and] military exercises against us and also put pressure, economic and financial sanctions on us, we consider it as a proclamation of the war."

'Test for UN'

Prime Minister John Howard says the testing of nuclear weapons could be dangerous for the region.

Mr Howard says he hopes the United Nations Security Council, which will discuss the issue tomorrow, takes a strong approach.

"This is a test for the United Nations, we're always being told by our critics that we don't use the United Nations enough, well let's see the United Nations act in relation to North Korea," he said.

Opposition Leader Kim Beazley says North Korea's behaviour is outrageous.

"We have a major challenge to the peace and stability of the Pacific region," he said.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says a nuclear test by North Korea would pose a grave threat to regional security.

"I think it would be a very provocative act and I just want to remind that this is not just an issue with the United States but an issue for the entire neighbourhood and I think a quite serious issue for the entire neighbourhood," she said.

The US remains firmly in favour of sanctions but fellow Security Council veto-holders Russia and China are much less enthusiastic about punishing North Korea regime.

Both favour more negotiations with North Korea.