The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament today condemned North Korea’s announcement that it will carry out a test of a nuclear weapon in the near future in order to ‘bolster’ its self-defence. The statement went on to say that North Korea "will always sincerely implement its international commitment in the field of nuclear non-proliferation as a responsible nuclear weapons state".

Kate Hudson, Chair of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, said:

“North Korea’s plan for a nuclear test is a setback for global non-proliferation efforts. By testing a nuclear weapon, North Korea could trigger a regional nuclear arms race, with countries such as Japan and South Korea feeling pressured to acquire nuclear weapons in retaliation.”

“There is no such thing as a ‘responsible nuclear weapons state’ as North Korea claims. It is irresponsible and morally repugnant for any state to produce and possess weapons capable of indiscriminately killing hundreds of thousands of people. We call on all nuclear weapons states to begin negotiations towards disarmament, as required under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.”

“Nuclear weapons do not make a country safer. Possession of nuclear weapons raises the stakes in conflicts and threatens casualties on an unimaginable scale. North Korea should follow the example of South Africa, Libya, and other countries by abandoning its nuclear weapons programme.”

Ms Hudson continued, “North Korea must abandon its plans for a nuclear test and return to negotiations. All sides must make good-faith efforts to achieve full disarmament at the earliest possible date. The current trends in global politics towards confrontation and war must be rejected in favour of dialogue and compliance with international law.”

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Notes to Editor:

1. For further information and interviews please contact Rick Wayman, CND's Press & Communications Officer, on 0207 7002350 or 07968 420859

2. The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) is one of Europe’s biggest single-issue peace campaigns, with over 32,000 members in the UK. CND campaigns for the abolition of all nuclear weapons everywhere. www.cnduk.org