The Federal Foreign Office summoned Ri Si Hong, Ambassador of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea today in response to the Government’s announcement that it intends to carry out another nuclear test. Another reason for the summoning was the launching of several hundred short- and at least two medium-range ballistic missiles as well as the exchange of fire across the maritime border between North and South Korea a few days ago.

The Federal Foreign Office urges the North Korean Government to take steps to de-escalate the situation and resume dialogue with a view to settling the nuclear issue. There would be a strong reaction from the international community should North Korea once again gravely violate UN resolutions by carrying out a fourth nuclear test.