World's Reactions towards N.K's Nuclear Test

North Korea declared on Monday that it successfully carried out its second underground nuclear test, arousing immediate concerns and responses from the world community.

The United Nations Security Council voiced "the strong opposition to and condemnation of" the nuclear test in a statement at the end of the closed-door Council consultations.

It said the members of the Security Council have decided to start work immediately on a resolution on this matter.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said it was a disturbing development that, if confirmed, would represent "a clear violation" of Security Council resolutions.

"I am deeply disturbed by a report of nuclear testing by DPRK. If it is confirmed it is a clear violation of Security Council resolution 1718 of 2006. It runs counter to the ongoing international community's efforts to curb a nuclear proliferation and it will create a negative impact to ongoing negotiations on nuclear disarmament."

Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement Chinese government is resolutely opposed to the nuclear test.

The statement voiced its strong demands that the DPRK live up to its commitment to non-nuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, stop any activity that may worsen the situation and return to the track of the six-party talks.

U.S. President Barack Obama strongly condemned the nuclear test.

"NorthKorea's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes pose a grave threat to the peace and security of the world and I strongly condemn their reckless action. NorthKorea's actions endanger the people of northeast Asia. They are a blatant violation of international law and they contradict NorthKorea's own prior commitments."

The Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura said his government would not accept the nuclear test.

"If North Korea carried out a nuclear test, it would clearly violate UN Security Council resolutions. We will definitely not tolerate it."

South Korean government condemned the nuclear test, saying it is a "serious threat and a "challenge".

South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan.

"We are seriously concerned about North Korea's second test of a nuclear device. It's a direct threat against peace and stability in the region, as well as the world."

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana branded the nuclear test as "irresponsible acts," and called for a tough response from the international community.

The Swedish Foreign Minister, Carl Bildt, described the test as "alarming".

"It's a continuation of the provocative behavior of the regime in Pyongyang. I think it further isolates the country. I think it further aggravates the long term situation of the country, and of course, it is not good for the international efforts for the Korean peninsula either."

Major European powers all condemned the nuclear test in strongest terms.