Communists protests N. Korea nuke test

JCP Chair Shii protests North Korea's nuclear test
From Akahata

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on May 25 published the following statement in protest against North Korea's nuclear test that was announced through its KCNA news agency:

North Korea conducted a nuclear test on May 25 in disregard of world opinion. It is a flagrant violation of both United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718 of October 14, 2006, demanding that "the DPRK not conduct any further nuclear test or launch of a ballistic missile," and the joint statement adopted at the Six Party Talks on September 19, 2005, stating that the DPRK "committed to abandoning all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs." It is unacceptable that North Korea unilaterally broke its promise to the world because of its disagreement with the April statement of the UNSC president condemning North Korea's rocket launch.

In the present-day world, new moves are arising toward abolishing nuclear weapons. The nuclear test that has just been conducted is in open defiance of such efforts and goes against the goal to achieve peace and stability in Northeast Asia.

The Japanese Communist Party strongly protests against the North Korean move and demands that North Korea strictly refrain from conducting further nuclear tests, give up its nuclear weapons and nuclear development programs, and unconditionally return to the Six Party talks.

- Akahata, May 26, 2009

DPR Korean nuclear test
The Guardian (Australia)

“The North Korean nuclear test is a result of existing tensions on the Korean peninsula, and the fact that the DPRK feels itself to be under threat,” Communist Party of Australia General Secretary Dr Hannnah Middleton said.

“The danger from Monday’s nuclear test is that it may lead those who were never really committed to nuclear disarmament to use it as an excuse not to proceed down a path that is essential for the physical survival of civilisation and human beings. This must not be allowed to happen.

“The test increases tensions in the region and could derail the current moves towards nuclear disarmament, possibly initiating further nuclear weapons proliferation.”

The war in Korea has never officially ended; the US has refused to sign a peace treaty with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), more than 50 years after military conflict ceased.

The US still maintains military bases in South Korea and has not abandoned its hostile and aggressive stand towards the DPRK. Each year, the US and South Korea practice war games which to the DPRK look like plans for invasion – one such invasion war game was held earlier this year. There is also the very threatening US military build-up in Asia.

The DPRK has repeatedly called for the normalisation of relations and lifting of sanctions. The US has failed to meet past commitments, coming from the six-party and other talks for the delivery of food and development of non-nuclear energy.

“The dynamics of this must be fundamentally changed,” said Dr Middleton. “The US must take measures such as the signing of a peace agreement and cast iron assurances that it will not attack or interfere with North Korea.

“The North Korean nuclear tests are not the way forward. Nuclear weapons are not the way forward. They provide no defence but create appalling danger for the survival of human civilisation and the planet.”

Viet Nam ‘gravely concerned’ by North Korean nuclear test

News Desk
Viet Nam News
Publication Date: 27-05-2009

Viet Nam has been gravely concerned with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)’s announcement of a nuclear test, stated Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Dung Monday.

This action, he added, would complicate the current global situation and did not serve in the interest of peace and stability in the region.

Dung was responding to mediamen’s querry about Viet Nam’s response to the DPRK’s announcement of a nuclear test the same day.

He reiterated Viet Nam’s consistent policy to support a comprehensive ban on nuclear testing, non-proliferati0on of nuclear weapons and movement toward completely eliminating this type of weapon.

"Viet Nam supports peace, stability and de-nuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and stands ready to contribute to the common efforts of the international community to maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region," the FM spokesman stressed.

He called on concerned parties to exercise utmost restraint and resolve complicated issues that might arise through peaceful means, including early resumption of the six-party talks.

Chinese gov't "resolutely opposes" DPRK's nuclear test
Xinhua

·China was resolutely opposed to the nuclear test by the DPRK, Foreign Ministry said Monday.
·DPRK announced it successfully conducted an underground nuclear test on Monday.
·The statement demanded DPRK live up to its commitment to non-nuclearization on Korean Peninsula.

BEIJING, May 25 (Xinhua) -- China was resolutely opposed to the nuclear test by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the Foreign Ministry said here in a statement Monday.

According to a report by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the DPRK announced it successfully conducted an underground nuclear test on Monday.

"The DPRK ignored universal opposition of the international community and once more conducted the nuclear test. The Chinese government is resolutely opposed to it," the statement said.

It has been the firm and consistent stance of the Chinese government to achieve non-nuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and oppose proliferation of nuclear weapons in an effort to maintain peace and stability in northeast Asia, the statement stressed.

The statement voiced a strong demand that the DPRK live up to its commitment to non-nuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, stop any activity that might worsen the situation and return to the track of the six-party talks.

The statement noted that maintaining peace and stability in northeast Asia region conformed to the common interests of all parties concerned, called for a calm response from all parties concerned and urged them to pursue peaceful resolution of the issue through consultation and dialogue.

China would continue its unremitting efforts to this end, the statement added.

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

The brief statement gave no details about the test, including its location.

Officials in the Republic of Korea said earlier Monday that an "artificial earthquake" was detected near the northeastern town of Kilju, about 10 km from the site where the DPRK staged its first nuclear test in October 2006.