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Obama reassures South Korea, Japan on their security

By DPA,

Washington : US President Barack Obama reassured the leaders of South Korea and Japan Monday that the US was committed to their security in telephone calls to coordinate the reaction to North Korea’s nuclear test.

Earlier Monday, the UN Security Council unanimously and strongly condemned the violation of international law represented by the early Monday explosion of a nuclear device by Pyongyang. The council indicated it would impose a new round of sanctions.

South Korean President Lee Myung Bank and Obama agreed in the call “that the test was a reckless violation of international law that compels action in response,” according to a statement released by the White House.

In the call with Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, the two leaders said they would intensify coordination within the six-party talks that have been trying for years to convince North Korea to dismantle its nuclear programme. The other members of the group are Russia, China and South Korea.

Obama emphasised in his conversation that “a collective response by the international community” was warranted.

Taro Aso and Obama also agreed to work “closely” in the Security Council for a resolution with concrete measures “to curtail North Korea’s nuclear and missile activities”.