Pyongyang : Two days after a UN resolution condemned North Korea’s recent rocket launch, Pyongyang declared it was proceeding with plans for a third nuclear test.
North Korea has already conducted two nuclear tests; one in 2006 and another in 2009.

The decision for the third test was announced Thursday by the country’s top military body, saying the “high-level nuclear test” and more long-range rocket launches were aimed at its “arch-enemy” — the US, reported Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

The announcement, however, did not give any time-frame for the test.

The Korea’s National Defence Commission stated that in a new phase of the anti-US struggle, North Korea does not hide its plans to continue launching “a variety of satellites and long-range rockets”, and carry out a “higher level” nuclear test targeted at the US, “the sworn enemy of the Korean people”, Xinhua reported.

“No dialogue on the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula will be possible in future even though there may be dialogues and negotiations on ensuring peace and security in the region including the Korean Peninsula,” it added.

The 15-member UNSC Tuesday unanimously approved Resolution 2087, requiring North Korea to comply with all relevant resolutions approved by the security council and not to use the ballistic missile technology for any launch.

Regional neighbours and the US have urged North Korea not to proceed, BBC reported.

“We hope they don’t do it, we call on them not to do it. It will be a mistake and a missed opportunity if they were to do it,” said Glyn Davies, the US special envoy on North Korea policy currently visiting Seoul.

“This is not a moment to increase tensions on the Korean Peninsula.”

Seoul deeply regretted the North Korean statement and “strongly” urged it not to go ahead, a South Korean foreign ministry spokesman said.

China’s foreign ministry, meanwhile, called on all relevant parties to “refrain from action that might escalate the situation in the region”.

Beijing, North Korea’s closest ally and biggest trading partner, backed Tuesday’s UN resolution.