Media Statement
07 January 2016
SA condemns the nuclear weapons test conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
The South African Government unequivocally condemns the fourth nuclear weapons test conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on 06 January 2016. This test constitutes a clear violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions calling on the DPRK not to conduct any further tests.
Nuclear weapons tests constitute a grave threat to international peace and security and undermine the global norm established by the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty against nuclear test explosions.
South Africa reiterates its call on the DPRK to refrain from any actions that could further escalate tensions in North-East Asia. South Africa also urges the DPRK to fulfill its commitments under the Six-Party Talks, to abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programmes, to return to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and to adhere to its IAEA safeguards agreement, with a view to achieving the de-nuclearization of the Korean peninsula in a peaceful manner.
At the same time, South Africa remains deeply concerned about the pronouncements by some States possessing nuclear weapons that emphasise the alleged security benefits of nuclear weapons. Such statements, together with the continued modernization of nuclear arsenals, undermine the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation provisions of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Enquiries: Nelson Kgwete, 076 431 3078
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION
OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
Pretoria
0084
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