South Africa condemns the reported Nuclear Test by the Democratic Republic of Korea’s (DPRK)

Pretoria- The South African government expresses its deep concern at the reports that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has again conducted an underground nuclear test explosion.

The South African government wishes to state categorically that this alleged nuclear explosion is unacceptable. The possession of nuclear weapons does not create security, but rather diminishes it and constitutes a threat to all humanity. 

As we have consistently stated, we call upon the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to fully and verifiably terminate any nuclear weapons programme, to return to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), sign and ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), and to place all its nuclear facilities and materials under comprehensive IAEA safeguards.

For more information contact Ms Nomfanelo Kota on 082 459 3787

Issued by the Department International Relations and Cooperation
Private Bag X152
Pretoria

25 May 2009.