U.S. Ambassador John Bolton (front) addresses the United Nations Security Council at the UN headquarters in New York, Oct. 14, 2006. The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Saturday imposing sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) for its recent nuclear test. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

    U.S. Ambassador John Bolton said the DPRK's nuclear test "poses one of the gravest threats to international peace and security" and that the resolution has sent "a strong and clear message."

    Japanese UN ambassador Kenzo Oshima said the DPRK's nuclear test is unacceptable behavior, which should be met not only with strong admonishment but with necessary measures prescribed in Chapter 7 of the UN Charter.

    Speaking after the vote, the DPRK's UN ambassador Pak Gil Yon said his country "totally rejects" the resolution, criticizing the Council for adopting "a coercive resolution while neglecting the nuclear threat and moves for sanctions and pressure of the United States against DPRK."

    He said the DPRK is ready for both dialogue and confrontation. "If the United States increases pressure upon the DPRK persistently, the DPRK will continue to take physical countermeasures, considering it as a declaration of a war," he said.

    The resolution came after intensive consultations over the past days to find consensus on the international community's response.

    Political observers here noted that the resolution has dropped the possibility of using force and fallen short of imposing comprehensive sanctions on the DPRK. It has also affirmed that sanction measures would be modified, suspended or lifted if the DPRK complies with the provisions of the resolution. Enditem

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