ROK warns of stern response against DPRK's threat

SEOUL -- The Republic of Korea (ROK) on Thursday warned against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), saying Pyongyang would face a stern response from the international community if it stages another nuclear test.

If the DPRK "takes such actions as the threat of nuclear test that worsens situations further, it will face a stern response from the international community as the action obviously violates the UN Security Council's resolution," South Korea's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry urged Pyongyang to take concrete actions in accordance with the resolution passed Tuesday by the Third Committee of the 69th UN General Assembly.

It said that the ROK will prepare for all possibilities by closely cooperating with the international community, including countries participating in the six-party talks, to prevent the DPRK from conducting another nuclear test.

The statement came after the DPRK's foreign ministry indicated a new detonation of its atomic bombs to counter "US hostile policy" toward the country. The DPRK said in a statement that it is compelled by US hostility "not to exercise restraint any longer in conducting a new nuclear test" and that its "war deterrence will grow stronger."

Pyongyang rejected the UN resolution on the country's human rights that recommends the Security Council refer the DPRK to the International Criminal Court.

The resolution followed a report released in February by the UN Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the DPRK. The report raised concerns over alleged abuses of human rights in the country.