Obama: North Korea "a threat to international peace" (Extra)

May 25, 2009, 7:02 GMT

Washington - US President Barack Obama on Monday condemned North Korea as a 'threat to international peace and security,' after the regime in Pyongyang announced it had conducted a new nuclear test.

The reclusive regime was also said to have test-fired a short- range missile.

The White House put out an immediate statement from Obama in which he called the country's actions 'a matter of grave concern to all nations.'

Obama said: 'North Korea's attempts to develop nuclear weapons, as well as its ballistic missile program, constitute a threat to international peace and security.

'By acting in blatant defiance of the United Nations Security Council, North Korea is directly and recklessly challenging the international community.

'North Korea's behavior increases tensions and undermines stability in Northeast Asia. Such provocations will only serve to deepen North Korea's isolation. It will not find international acceptance unless it abandons its pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.

'The danger posed by North Korea's threatening activities warrants action by the international community. We have been and will continue working with our allies and partners in the Six-Party Talks as well as other members of the UN Security Council in the days ahead.'

Obama added that the announcement of the test and the reports of the missile launch 'were not a surprise, given its actions and statements to date.'

The state-run KCNA new agency in North Korea said Monday's test was more powerful than the previous one, conducted in October 2006.