Kazakhstan, Astana, April 9 / D. Mukhtar /
Kazakhstan is strongly concerned about the escalation of tensions on Korean Peninsula, official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Zhanbolat Usenov said at a briefing on Tuesday.
"We hope that the parties will demonstrate maximum self-restraint and calm in order to maintain peace in the region," Ussenov said.
The relations between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK, North Korea) and the Republic of Korea (South Korea) have deteriorated significantly. In 2012, North Korea conducted another underground nuclear test (previous tests were conducted in 2006 and 2009), causing protest from the international community. The UN Security Council adopted a resolution demanding that the DPRK stop nuclear activities. Earlier in April, North Korean authorities announced plans to resume works at the uranium enrichment plant in Yongbyon.
According to Usenov, Kazakhstan is one of the leaders of the global nuclear non-proliferation process. In particular, the country has initiated the establishment of the UN International Day against Nuclear Tests.
"Our country has consistently made practical contribution to the strengthening of international stability and security. So, on April 5-6 in Almaty we hosted another round of the negotiations on Iran's nuclear program," Usenov said.
According to him, Kazakhstan is against a military solution to the problem, because "only a peaceful settlement can ensure stability and prosperity in East Asia."
"However, we believe that the DPRK's decision to resume the operation of the nuclear reactor in Yongbyon is a flagrant violation of the international obligations of the DPRK and the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council," - Usenov said.
According to Usenov, the issue of the complete elimination of North Korean nuclear program should be resolved within the framework of the six-party negotiations.