The Foreign Ministry today said Pyongyang was bolstering its self-defense capabilities amid "the U.S. threat of aggression."
Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso reacted swiftly to the announcement, calling the North Korean nuclear test plans "totally unforgivable." He also warned that the international community would react "sternly" if Pyongyang conducted the tests.
North Korea has previously said that it has nuclear weapons, but has not conducted any known test to prove its claim.
Pyongyang's announcement came as six-party talks on its nuclear program remain stalled for almost a year.
(AFP, AP, Reuters)
Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso reacted swiftly to the announcement, calling the North Korean nuclear test plans "totally unforgivable." He also warned that the international community would react "sternly" if Pyongyang conducted the tests.
North Korea has previously said that it has nuclear weapons, but has not conducted any known test to prove its claim.
Pyongyang's announcement came as six-party talks on its nuclear program remain stalled for almost a year.
(AFP, AP, Reuters)
