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North Korea claims nuclear test "matter of life and death"

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Brussels, Oct 11, IRNA
EU-N Korea
Members of the European Parliament strongly challenged their counterparts in the North Korean Parliament at an inter-parliamentary meeting in Brussels on Tuesday over North Korea's underground testing of a nuclear bomb on Monday.

According to an EP statement, the North Korean delegation responded by saying that North Korea was defending itself against the United States.

The head of the delegation of North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly, Ri Jong Hyok, told the EP that the nuclear test was "a result of the relations between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the United States."

"We had to take measures in order to obtain a nuclear deterrent against the Americans. Our country has suffered severe sanctions and pressures for over 60 years and our security interests have been seriously infringed."

The test was a "matter of life and death," he added.

"If, however, financial sanctions were lifted, North Korea would be ready to resume talks."

North Korea's nuclear test was condemned by the European parliamentarians.

Asked by an MEP how North Korea viewed the reaction by China to the nuclear test, Ri replied that when a country's takes essential measures, it is "not necessary to look at the other's face." "Every country has its interests and no other country can represent our interests."
260/2321/1414