The United Nations Security Council showed its solidarity on Saturday in responding to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for its October 9 nuclear test. Its unanimous vote on imposing sanctions on the DPRK and individuals supporting its military programme sent a strong, necessary message that DPRK should cease its nuclear weapon programme.

Calling its nuclear test "a clear threat to international peace and security," the Council demanded that the country return immediately to the negotiations without precondition.

The UN should respond appropriately to the nuclear test by DPRK. The irresponsible act of the country goes against its commitment enshrined in the joint statement it signed with five countries in Beijing last September during the Six-Party Talks.

Saturday's vote demonstrated the UN's strong resolution, which is also aimed at preventing a further escalation of tension.

It is a resolution with both punishment and encouragement.

The Council's condemnation on DPRK's nuclear test is clear and firm, followed by the same clear and affirmative demand. DPRK is asked not to conduct any further nuclear test or launch a ballistic missile.

On the list of items banned by the sanctions is any material for weapons of mass destruction or ballistic missiles, coupled with luxury goods.

The DPRK totally rejects the resolution and accuses the Security Council of unfairness and double standards.

The DPRK's representative told the Council his country was ready for both dialogue and confrontation. He claimed that if the United States persistently increased pressures upon the DPRK, it would continue to take physical countermeasures because it considered these pressures as a declaration of war.

Though a resolution that carries punitive sanctions on DPRK is in place, prudence is still needed. The countries involved should refrain from taking any provocative approaches that may intensify the tensions.

The Six-Party Talks were the forum established for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and should be maintained to work for this purpose.

China opposes DPRK's nuclear test, which not only defies its international commitments but also causes tensions in East Asia and the world at large.

In this sense, the Security Council's response was an approach the international community had to take.

The UN resolution sent a necessary call to DPRK to immediately retract its announced withdrawal from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, return to that pact, and works with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Without the threat of use of force, the resolution, the second on DPRK in four months, offers leeway for diplomatic endeavours to handle DPRK's nuclear issue outside sanctions.

The resolution carries the articles encouraging diplomacy that may push DPRK back to the Six-Party Talks. Furthermore, it encourages DPRK to comply with the resolution.

(China Daily 10/16/2006 page4)