Washington: US President Barack Obama condemned the North Korean nuclear test which was conducted on Tuesday, calling it "highly provocative". "This is a highly provocative act that, following its December 12 ballistic missile launch, undermines regional stability, violates North Korea's obligations under numerous United Nations Security Council resolutions," Obama said in a statement issued by the White House. The test, which North Korea claimed was successful, was carried out at 11.57 AM in Kilju
county, North Hamkyung province, reported sources. Calling North Korea's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs as a threat to US national security and to international peace and security, Obama said the US "remains vigilant in the face of North Korean provocations and steadfast in our defense commitments to allies in the region". North Korea has already said on Tuesday that it had successfully conducted a third nuclear test to safeguard its national security against hostile US policy, a move that prompted South Korea to put its military on high alert. The world learnt of the nuclear test when an artificial earthquake with 4.9 magnitudes was detected from the town where the North Korean nuclear test facility is located. Obama said North Korea's latest move contravenes its commitments under the September 19, 2005 Joint Statement of the Six-Party Talks on North Korea's nuclear programmes and "increases the risk of proliferation" Source: News-Bullet, Image: photobucket.com
