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Seoul Commends Jerusalem on Atomic Test Condemnation

South Korea`s ambassador to Israel on Tuesday welcomed the Jewish state`s condemnation of North Korea`s alleged claim of having tested a nuclear weapon a day earlier. The Republic of Korea`s ambassador to Israel, Shin Kak-Soo, told local English-language media that the international community "must present a strong and united front to deter the development of nuclear weapons by North Korea," and that as "a very important player in the Middle East, Israel has significant role to play in that effort."

In Jerusalem, the Israeli Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Monday following the North Korean announcement of an alleged low-yield nuclear weapons test, calling the test "an irresponsible and provocative act that could pose a serious threat to the regional stability of Northeast Asia and to global and international security." And in the wake of the test, Israeli lawmakers such as Ephraim Sneh have warned that in light of North Korea`s close relations with Iran, Jerusalem should be very concerned about Pyongyang`s nuclear activities.

Ambassador Shin echoed that concern of Israel`s, noting that a successful nuclear test by North Korea will likely bolster Iran`s own nuclear ambitions and make the ruling mullahs in Teheran even more defiant toward international demands to comply with nuclear protocols and inspections. South Korea has joined most other nations in pressing for U.N. sanctions against North Korea, and the country`s president has called into question past rapprochement policies, and the "unification minister" of South Korea even went so far as to apologize.