Diplomats and defense officials from Japan, South Korea and the US on Thursday released a joint statement criticizing North Korea’s announcement of a nuclear test. It said any new nuclear test and last December’s rocket launch poses a threat to regional peace and security. Japan, the US, and South Korea urged North Korea not to carry out the nuclear test. The three nations said they will work closely with China and Russia to dissuade North Korea from conducting its third nuclear test.     

North Korea's test of its Unha-3 rocket in Dec, 2012 (Photo: KCNA)