North Korea has vowed to walk out on international talks to end its nuclear programme, and said it would restore its disabled nuclear reactor.The unusually strong statement follows criticism by the UN Security Council of its recent rocket launch, which critics say was a long-range missile test.
North Korea says its launch was part of a peaceful space programme, designed to put a satellite into orbit. Pyongyang described the UN statement as an "unbearable insult".
The BBC's John Sudworth in Seoul says the six-party talks, involving North and South Korea, China, Japan, Russia and the US, have seen many setbacks since they began more than five years ago, but now North Korea says it is walking out for good.
The North said it would never again take part in the talks, adding that it would restore its partially disabled Yongbyon nuclear reactor - the fuel source for its 2006 atomic test.
Pyongyang partially dismantled the plant in 2008, as part of an international agreement which guaranteed it aid and diplomatic concessions in exchange for disabling its nuclear facilities.The government-controlled North Korean news agency said the action was in response to a UN statement condemning the recent rocket launch and agreeing to tighten existing sanctions.
The North Korean Foreign Ministry said the UN move infringed its sovereignty and "severely debases" North Koreans.
The ministry said it would "strengthen its nuclear deterrent for its defence by all means".
China, Pyongyang's closest ally, called for "calm and restraint" from all sides, while Russia and Japan urged North Korea to return to the negotiating table.
Courtesy: BBC NEWS
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