UN Security Council vows action after North Korea test

From Yoshita Singh United Nations, Feb 12 (PTI) The UN Security Council today "strongly condemned" North Korea's third nuclear test and vowed to take "appropriate measures" in response to Pyongyang's action, which the world body said is a "grave violation" and threat to international peace and security. The powerful UN body, which is currently under the Presidency of South Korea, held urgent consultations here today to discuss the "serious" situation arising from North Korea's nuclear test. In a press statement issued after the meeting, the Council said its members will "begin work immediately on appropriate measures in a Security Council resolution" in line with the "gravity of this violation." The Security Council had last month unanimously adopted a resolution in which it had said it would take "significant action" in the event of any further nuclear test by Pyongyang. "The members of the Security Council strongly condemned this test, which is a grave violation" of Security Council resolutions and "therefore there continues to exist a clear threat to international peace and security," the press statement said. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also strongly condemned the "appalling" underground nuclear test saying Pyongyang's "reckless and wanton act" shows outright disregard for the repeated call of the international community to refrain from further provocative measures. "I am profoundly concerned about the negative impact of this act on regional stability. It is deplorable that Pyongyang has chosen the path of defiance," Ban said in his remarks to a UNSC open debate on the protection of civilians in an armed conflict. (more) PTI YAS NSA