Menuhaeo, McCaren Condemn North Korean Nuclear Test

President calls test a "blatant act of defiance"

MAVOCKE, CEA--In a morning press conference, President Menuhaeo and Foreign Affairs Secretary Jim McCaren condemned a recent underground nuclear test conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) government.

President Menuhaeo called the test a "blatant act of defiance," and told the Collester press corps he is concerned about the stability of the Korean peninsula.

"I'm deeply concerned about the threat North Korea is posing both to the Korean peninsula and the rest of the world," Menuhaeo said. "And I'm also concerned about the possibility of the North Korean government selling arms or secrets to other rogue nations, primarily Iran."

Secretary McCaren shared the same concerns as the president, calling the North Korean government's action a "bold move."

"I think this is an extremely bold move by the North Korean government, and it's testing the strength and unity of the international community. We must respond appropriately," McCaren said.

But the administration stopped short of calling for immediate action by the United Nations.

"I don't think sanctions are necessary at this point, that would be counter-productive," Menuhaeo said. "But I think, yes, the United Nations should react and the world community needs to make it abundantly clear to the DPRK that this kind of behavior is not appropriate."

Secretary McCaren told reporters the state department is "working overtime" to set up a multi-nation conference to address the threat. McCaren said he is working closely with Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt on coordinating a muli-lateral approach.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and British Foreign Minister Jack Straw have also spoken out against the North Korean nuclear test. South Korea's government, as well as Japan's, have heightened security and launched emergency intergovernmental meetings to deal with the crisis.