Detonating nuclear weapons would pose a serious threat to peace and security in Asia and the rest of the world, the ministry says in the statement, urging North Korea to rejoin the six-party negotiations with the aim of avoiding further escalation of events and finding a solution through diplomatic means.
North Korea stated on Tuesday it would perform a nuclear test on an unspecified date in order to strengthen its arsenal and ward off what it called a growing threat from the United States.
North Korea declared itself a nuclear power in February 2005, but has never performed a nuclear test.