The five middle powers of MIKTA expressed "grave concern" over North Korea's fifth nuclear test and called on Pyongyang to fully comply with international resolutions and refrain from additional provocations.

The foreign ministers of MIKTA, comprised of Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, Turkey and Australia, issued a joint statement on the North's nuclear issue after holding a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday (local time).

"We... express grave concern over the fifth nuclear test conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on Sept. 9, 2016," they said, referring to the North by its formal name.

"We urge North Korea to fully comply with its international obligations including by implementing related UN Security Council Resolutions," they added.

The North conducted its fifth and most powerful nuclear detonation test on Sept. 9 in defiance of multiple resolutions and sanctions. It came eight months after Pyongyang carried out its fourth nuclear test in January.

The UN Security Council is working on fresh sanctions to punish the North for its continued provocations. South Korea has engaged in a diplomatic drive to drum up support for toughened measures against the communist state from the international community.

MIKTA, which was launched in 2013 and led by South Korea, joined other countries in condemning the North, sharing concerns that further provocations would hurt peace and stability.

"At this critical juncture, we call upon North Korea to refrain from actions that would adversely affect peace and stability," they said. (Yonhap)