International Pressure

[Anchor Lead]

The ASEAN Regional Forum in Laos has wrapped up with a majority of countries participating urging North Korea to abide by the U.N. Security Council's resolution on its nuclear weapons program. Pyongyang has responded that additional nuclear tests hinge on the United States attitude.

[Pkg]

The parties to the six-way nuclear talks gathered at one place for the first time since North Korea's fourth nuclear test held at the beginning of this year. As in the EAS Foreign Ministers' Meeting held earlier, South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se continued to pressure North Korea at the ASEAN Regional Forum. Minister Yun drew attention to how North Korea's steady provocations threatens regional security. A majority of ARF participating nations strongly urged North Korea to strictly follow the U.N. Security Council's resolution and not to heighten tension.

[Soundbite] Yun Byung-se(S. Korean Foreign Minister) : "Many countries criticized, showed their concerns, and condemned North Korean nuclear and missile provocations."

Meanwhile, North Korea asked for a press conference to repeat its previous stance that the country has nuclear power.

[Soundbite] Ri Yong-ho(N. Korean Foreign Minister) : "The six-party nuclear talks were launched for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, but the denuclearization itself has been blown away by the U.S."

North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho blamed deteriorating political situation to America's hostile policy toward the North such as the deployment of the Terminal High-Altitude Area defense battery and economic embargo attempts. He also hinted at the possibility of additional nuclear tests.