UN Security Council voices strong opposition to DPRK's nuclear test_English

UNITED NATIONS, May 25 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Monday voiced "the strong opposition to and condemnation of" the nuclear test by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

The rotating Council president for May, Vitaly Churkin, made the statement to the press here at the end of the closed-door Council consultations, which were held at the request of Japan.

"The members of the Security Council voiced the strong opposition to and condemnation of the nuclear test conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on May 25, 2009, which constitutes a clear violation of (Security Council) Resolution 1718," which was adopted in 2006, the president said.

"The members of the Security Council demand that the DPRK will comply fully with its obligation under Resolutions 1695 (2006) and 1718 (2006) and other related Security Council resolutions and statements," he said.

"The members of the Security Council have decided to start work immediately on a Security Council resolution on this matter in accordance with the Security Council's responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations," the president said.

UN Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, in a statement issued here by his spokesperson, said on Monday that he "strongly deplores the conduct of an underground nuclear test" by the DPRK, "in clear and grave violation of the relevant Security Council resolutions."

The DPRK said on Monday it successfully conducted "one more" underground nuclear test earlier in the day.

In a statement released by the official news agency KCNA, the DPRK government said the test was "part of the measures to bolster up its nuclear deterrent for self-defense in every way as requested by its scientists and technicians."

The DPRK has been under UN sanctions that prevent the nation from nuclear and ballistic activity since its first atomic test in 2006. An April 5 rocket launch, which the DPRK said put a satellite into orbit, prompted the Security Council to adopt a presidential statement to condemn the launch and tighten the sanctions.