The International community welcomed the resolution unanimously adopted on Saturday by the United Nations (UN) Security Council on imposing sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) for its recent nuclear test.

In Washington, U.S. President George W. Bush told reporters he welcomed the resolution, calling it "swift and tough" which showed that "we are united in our determination to see to it that the Korean Peninsula is nuclear-weapons free."

In Tokyo, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso in a statement also welcomed the UN move, saying it "sends out a resolute message of the international community condemning this act.

He strongly urged the DPRK to "sincerely implement" the resolution and "seriously take to heart international concerns and take the necessary measure to resolve the issue."

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Sunday that Japan will contemplate slapping additional sanctions on the DPRK in line with the resolution.

In Seoul, the South Korean government said on Sunday that it would take appropriate measures in line with a resolution adopted by the UN Security Council(UNSC) over the nuclear test by DPRK.

South Korea "welcomes and supports the U.N. Security Council resolution over the North's (DPRK) nuclear test and will implement it in good faith," said a statement by the South Korean Foreign Ministry.

The North "should clearly acknowledge the international community's steady standpoint (over the nuclear issue) through the UNSC resolution," the statement said.

In Ottawa, the Canadian government expressed its strong support for the resolution. Foreign Minister Peter Mackay said in a statement that the vote "demonstrates that the international community is united" in demanding the DPRK's abandonment of its nuclear programs.

He also urged the DPRK to return to the six-party talks without conditions.

The Australian government also welcomed the resolution, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer told Network-10 television, noting his government may take further individual actions against Pyongyang such as a ban on all visits by DPRK ships.

Resolution adopted

The resolution, co-sponsored by the U.S. and eight other nations, condemns the nuclear test proclaimed by the DPRK, demands the DPRK eliminate its nuclear weapons and nuclear programs and imposes sanctions on the DPRK in spheres related to its nuclear, ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction.

The resolution, adopted on Saturday, also welcomes and encourages further efforts by all states concerned to intensify their diplomatic efforts, refrain from any actions that might aggravate tension and facilitate the early resumption of the six-party talks.

Explaining China's position after the vote, Wang Guangya, Chinese Permanent Representative to the UN, said China supports the Security Council in making a firm and appropriate response, and that China believes the act of the council should both indicate the firm position of the international community and help create enabling conditions for the final peaceful solution to the issues through dialogue.

But he stressed that the sanction itself is not the end, noting that the resolution makes it clear that the council will suspend or lift sanctions against the DPRK if it complies with the relevant requests of the resolution.

He also voiced China's reservations over the practice of inspecting cargo to and from the DPRK.

China strongly urges the countries concerned to adopt a prudent and responsible attitude in this regard and refrain from taking any provocative steps that may intensify the tension, he added.

Despite some negative developments regarding the DPRK's nuclear test, China's policies on the issue remain unchanged, he said.

U.S. Ambassador John Bolton said the DPRK's nuclear test "poses one of the gravest threats to international peace and security" and that the resolution has sent "a strong and clear message."

Japanese UN ambassador Kenzo Oshima said the DPRK's nuclear test is an unacceptable behavior, which should be met not only with strong admonishment but with necessary measures prescribed in Chapter 7 of the UN Charter.

Russia's UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin said Moscow got what it wanted, namely, a strong resolution but one that is also aimed at "prevention of a further escalation of tension."
Speaking after the vote, the DPRK's UN ambassador Pak Gil Yon said his country "totally rejects" the resolution, criticizing the council for adopting "a coercive resolution while neglecting the nuclear threat and moves for sanctions and pressure of the United States against DPRK."

He said the DPRK is ready for both dialogue and confrontation. "If the United States increases pressure upon the DPRK persistently, the DPRK will continue to take physical countermeasures, considering it as a declaration of a war," he said.

The resolution came after intensive consultations over the past few days aimed at seeking consensus on the international community's response.