UN chief 'concerned' by DPRK statement on ending nuclear tests moratorium

UNITED NATIONS - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday urged the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to not resume the nuclear and missile tests, said his spokesman.

"The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by the statement of the DPRK, which has indicated the end of a moratorium on nuclear and missile tests," said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman.

The UN chief "very much hopes" that the tests will not resume, in line with relevant Security Council resolutions, said Dujarric, adding that non-proliferation remains a fundamental pillar of global nuclear security and must be preserved.

Guterres supports the resumption of a dialogue that will lead to complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, Dujarric added. "Diplomatic engagement is the only pathway to sustainable peace."

DPRK's official media reported on Wednesday that country's top leader Kim Jong-un had signaled his country no longer felt bound by its self-imposed moratorium on testing nuclear weapons and long-range ballistic missiles.