UN political chief urges Security Council to 'remain united, take appropriate action

The top United Nations, UN, political official today urged the Security Council to remain united and take appropriate action against Sunday's nuclear explosive test conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

"The latest serious developments require a comprehensive response in order to break the cycle of provocations from the DPRK," said Jeffrey Feltman, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, in an emergency Council meeting, adding, "such a response must include wise and bold diplomacy to be effective."

Feltman, however, stressed the importance of responding to humanitarian needs regardless of the political situation as the people of the DPRK rely on the international community to provide humanitarian assistance.

Today's meeting was the Council's second emergency meeting on the DPRK in less than a week and the tenth time the body has met to discuss the DPRK this year.

"We are alarmed by this dangerous provocation," he said, noting that Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres reiterated his call on the DPRK leadership to cease such acts and to comply fully with its international obligations under relevant Security Council resolutions.

"We will continue to carefully follow the developments and remain in close co-ordination with the concerned international organizations, members of the Council and other governments concerned," he concluded.