Now is the time to negotiate the abandonment of the nuclear weapons in Northeast Asia!

The KJA expresses deep regrets about North Korea's announcement of its nuclear test. North Korea is largely responsible for heightening military tension not only on the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia but also worldwide.

But the main reason for North Korea's nuclear test is the U.S. unilateral pressure on the North with financial sanctions and its downright ignorance of peace-loving and conscientious world leaders' plea for direct talks with North Korea.

As we stated clearly many times before, we are adamantly opposed to any kind of military action to resolve the nuclear crisis on the Korean Peninsula. No nation or government should take action to stimulate or invite military action on the Korean Peninsula. Only dialogue and negotiation can be the solution.

North Korea's test is a clear statement that it has become a nuclear state. Now, not only the U.S and North Korea, but also China, Russia and a potentially nuclear Japan should immediately engage in talks to denuclearize Northeast Asia.

The denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula alone would not dissipate fears about nuclear war because the peninsula is surrounded by the wood of nuclear weapons. At least, Northeast Asia should become a nuclear-free zone and this will lead to the ultimate elimination of nuclear weapons around the world and contribute to establishing a lasting peace for humankind.

October 9, 2006

JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION of KOREA