|
N Korea nukes 'for self defence'
27/09/2006 10:07 - (SA)
United Nations - A top North Korean official said on Tuesday his country's nuclear arms were in "self-defence", in a wide-ranging attack at the UN general assembly on the United States for using non-proliferation and terrorism as "a pretext" to invade sovereign states.
In a rare North Korean explanation on the international stage of its policy, deputy foreign minister Choe Su Hon said the Stalinist state's "possession of deterrent power, solely for self-defence, is fully in line with the interests of the regional countries for peace and security.
"The US adventurous military manoeuvres such as military exercises and economic blockade against the DPRK (North Korea) continue to be tolerated, while the routine missile test fires of our army for self-defence have been picked up to be condemned as 'a threat to international peace and security'," he added.
Pyongyang declared in February 2005 it had nuclear weapons, but there have been no reports of a test.
Last July, it defied international warnings and fired seven ballistic missiles, including its long-range Taepodong-2, believed to be capable of striking America's western seaboard.
Missile-related sanctions
The UN security council, including North Korea's only major ally, China, responded by unanimously adopting a resolution condemning its actions and imposing missile-related sanctions.
In 1998, North Korea caused international alarm by firing a long-range missile over Japan and into the Pacific Ocean.
Amid reports the reclusive regime could be planning its first nuclear bomb test, US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice said in an interview released on Monday that time was running out to bring North Korea back to the negotiating table.
- AFP
|
News
