G8 issues strong condemnation of North Korea

G8 foreign ministers on Friday strongly condemned North Korea for its nuclear test and long-range rocket launch, saying in a draft statement that the actions threatened regional peace.

G8 foreign ministers on Friday strongly condemned North Korea for its nuclear test and long-range rocket launch, saying in a draft statement that the actions threatened regional peace.

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Group of s member Japan had pushed for strong wording condemning Pyongyang for the nuclear test in May and the rocket-firing in April that led to a UN Security Council decision to impose sanctions.

"We condemn in the strongest terms the nuclear test conducted on May 25 in violation of UN Security Council resolution 1718 and the rocket launch of April 5 which constitute a threat to regional peace and stability," said the draft statement obtained by AFP.

The North reacted defiantly to a UN Security Council decision on June 12 to impose new sanctions, which tighten a ban on arms shipments among other measures.