Park urges sanctions to make NK pay over nuclear test
President Park Geun-hye has called for international sanctions against North Korea in response to its nuclear test.
"South Korea in cooperation with the international community must make North Korea pay a price that corresponds to it carrying out its nuclear test," she said at a National Security Council meeting at Cheong Wa Dae, Wednesday, following Pyongyang's announcement of a successful hydrogen bomb test at noon.
While recognizing that Pyongyang’s claim is yet to be confirmed, the President said: “This nuclear test is Pyongyang's fourth, and considering the state is claiming it is its first hydrogen bomb test, it may shake Northeast Asia's security landscape and fundamentally change the nature of North Korea's nuclear issue.”
Park referred to North Korea's test as “a grave provocation against security as well as a threat to Koreans' future and a head-on challenge against world peace and stability.”
She called for tough sanctions on the part of the United Nations Security Council and stressed South Korea cooperate with allies such as the U.S. for measures against the North.
Park said it is imperative that domestic institutions and ally states analyze and share data so an accurate evaluation of the nuclear test can be done quickly.
She said South Korea must closely observe the North for additional provocations. The ROK-U.S. combined forces boosted defense preparations after the nuclear test.
Park also stressed the importance of maintaining national stability and urged politicians “to stop political strife and unite for the safety of the people.”