World leaders and opinion-makers are condemning North Korea's test of a small nuclear device in defiance of international warnings against doing so. • “It is deplorable that Pyongyang defied the strong and unequivocal call from the international community to refrain from any further provocative measures.” — UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon • “North Korea's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs constitute a threat to US national security and to international peace and security. The United States remains vigilant in the face of North Korean provocations and steadfast in our defense commitments to allies in the region.” — US President Barack Obama • “This nuclear test by North Korea is totally unacceptable, as it constitutes a grave threat to Japan's security, represents a grave challenge to the international disarmament and non-proliferation regime centered on the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, and seriously undermines the peace and security of Northeast Asia ...” — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe • ”The Democratic People's Republic of Korea, heedless of widespread international opposition, has again carried out a nuclear test, to which the Chinese government expresses its firm opposition.” — China's Foreign Ministry • “North Korea's development of its nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities poses a threat to international and regional security. Its repeated provocations only serve to increase regional tension, and hinder the prospects for lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.” — British Foreign Secretary William Hague • “We are anxious that Pyongyang's recent step will not be used as a pretext to boost (its) military presence around the Korean peninsula.” — Russia's Foreign Ministry • “‘We call upon the DPRK to refrain from such actions which adversely impact on peace and stability in region.” — Indian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Syed Akbaruddin • “It constitutes a clear threat to international peace and security and challenges efforts to strengthen global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. I am gravely concerned by this action, which deserves universal condemnation.” — Tibor Toth, executive secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization • “This irresponsible act, along with the December missile launch, poses a grave threat to international peace, security and stability.” — North Atlantic Council, NATO's governing body • “The international community should respond to this latest provocation with a clear stance.” — German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle • “The IAEA remains ready to contribute to the peaceful resolution of the DPRK nuclear issue by resuming its nuclear verification activities in the country as soon as the political agreement is reached among countries concerned.” — International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Yukiya Amano • “North Korea's future security and prosperity can only be secured through constructive relations with its neighbors and the international community.” — Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard — AP
