BRICS leaders condemn N. Korea nuclear test

HUN SEN, Cambodian prime minister XIAMEN: Leaders of the BRICS grouping of emerging economies yesterday said they “strongly deplore” North Korea’s latest nuclear test and hydrogen-bomb claim, which has overshadowed the fivenation group’s annual summit.

The joint statement from the summit here added to world condemnation of North Korea, which announced on Sunday it had detonated a powerful hydrogen bomb that it claimed could fit on a long-range missile.

“We strongly deplore the nuclear test conducted by the DPRK,” the leaders said, using the initials of North Korea’s official name.

BRICS is made up of Brazil, Russia, India, South Africa and summit host China, North Korea’s longtime patron.

“We express deep concern over the ongoing tension and prolonged nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula,” said the declaration.

It said BRICS believed the issue “should only be settled through peaceful means and direct dialogue of all the parties concerned”.

The North Korean move dramatically raised the stakes in its standoff with the world and upstaged the BRICS summit, which Chinese President Xi Jinping opened yesterday and had hoped would spotlight Beijing’s claims to developing-world leadership.

The nuclear test was a slap in the face for Beijing, and China’s Foreign Ministry condemned it hours after it took place. The ministry yesterday said it had “launched stern representations” with North Korea’s embassy in China.

The summit includes Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia, Michel Temer of Brazil and South Africa’s Jacob Zuma. AFP