Today’s nuclear test by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is an extremely regrettable act. This new test, which follows the two tests last year and is the sixth since 2006, is in complete disregard of the repeated demands of the international community.

In its resolutions, most recently in 2371, the Security Council has reaffirmed its decisions that the DPRK shall not conduct any further nuclear tests and shall abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner. Once again, I strongly urge the DPRK to fully implement all relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and the IAEA.

The Agency continues to closely follow developments in the DPRK’s nuclear programme, which is a matter of grave concern. We remain ready to contribute to its peaceful resolution.