Major political parties here condemned North Korea for carrying out a second underground nuclear test and test-firing a short-range missile yesterday.

Calling it an "uncivilized provocation," the ruling Grand National Party said the nuclear test was a threat to all nations, pointing out that the North was continuously making the wrong decisions.



"We believe North Korea`s provocative activities that trigger conflict and confrontation will go on," said GNP spokesman Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun. "The North`s idea that it could protect its current administration through the use of nuclear arms is an illusion. The South Korean government, as well as the international community must firmly respond to the action."

The main opposition Democratic Party also posted strong opposition to the North`s firing, stating that North Korea`s dismantling of nuclear weapons is an issue in which the party could not compromise or give up on.

"We express our sincere regrets regarding the fact that the North went ahead with its nuclear test at a time when we`re commemorating former President Roh Moo-hyun, who put effort into enhancing relations between South and North Korea and to bring peace to the peninsula," said DP spokesman Noh Young-min.

After reports of nuclear testing became official, some parliamentary committee members moved busily to develop measures to deal with the nuclear crisis.

The National Defense Committee, with the attendance of Defense Minister Lee Sang-hee, held an emergency meeting yesterday and two other committees -- the Foreign Affairs, Trade and Unification Ministry and the Intelligence Committee -- scheduled meetings to discuss related matters today.

The event comes after North Korea`s warning last month that it would restart its nuclear program, conduct a second atomic test and go ahead with long-range missile tests.

It had also launched a rocket believed to be a test for its long-range missile technology less than two months ago.

By Cho Ji-hyun



(sharon@heraldm.com)