'Only China can stop North Korea from continuing nuclear testing'

(Baonghean.vn) - Speaking after North Korea conducted its fifth nuclear test on September 9, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said that currently only China can prevent North Korea from continuing to conduct nuclear tests.

North Korean President Kim Jong-un. Photo: Reuters.

At a press conference on September 10 in London with his Australian counterpart, Julie Bishop, Mr. Johnson said the recent test in North Korea was a "blatant violation" of United Nations rules and required a "strong response."

Mr. Johnson also admitted that current policies to contain Mr. Kim Jong-un's government have not been really effective.

Commenting on the North Korean issue, Mr. Johnson also said, "This is a story that is repeating itself and it is growing. Over the past year, we can see a worrying reality that the nuclear technology that North Korea is pursuing has improved. That makes us have to think about how to change the way we respond and how to respond appropriately."

Asked whether Britain should start talks with North Korea, Mr Johnson said: "At the moment we are still waiting for a resolution from the UN Security Council and will issue the strongest possible condemnation.

However, Mr. Johnson did not hesitate to say that currently there is only one country in the world that really has influence over North Korea and that is China.

"So we very much hope that China will use the good relationship between the two countries to prevent further nuclear testing and to advise Pyongyang that this is unacceptable and the explosions must stop," Mr. Johnson shared.

Previously, on September 9, North Korea conducted its fifth and largest nuclear test ever at the Punggye-ri site, causing a 5.0 magnitude earthquake near the site of the nuclear test.

Thanh Hien

(According to Independent)