'More US pressure will be an act of war'

Seoul: North Korea said on Wednesday that increased US pressure against the communist regime would be considered an act of war.

"If the US keeps pestering us and increases pressure, we will regard it as a declaration of war and will take a series of physical corresponding measures," the North's Foreign Ministry said in a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency.

"We were compelled to prove that we have nuclear weapons to prevent the increasing threat of war by the US and protect our sovereignty and survival," the North said, criticising an alleged nuclear threat from Washington and sanctions. "We are ready for both dialogue and confrontation."

The statement was the first official announcement from the North Korean government since KCNA reported of the Monday test.

It added however that North Korea was still committed to denuclearisation.

"Even though we conducted the nuclear test because of the U.S., we still remain committed to realising the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and negotiations," the ministry said.

North Korea's No. 2 leader had earlier threatened more nuclear tests if the United States continued its "hostile attitude" against the communist regime, a news report said Wednesday, amid mounting tensions in the region.

Kim Yong Nam, second to North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, said in an interview with Kyodo that Pyongyang's next steps would hinge on U.S. policy toward it.

"The issue of future nuclear tests is linked to US policy toward our country," Kim was quoted as saying when asked whether Pyongyang will conduct more nuclear tests.

South Korea's defence minister later announced that Seoul would enlarge its own conventional arsenal to deal with its potentially nuclear-armed neighbour.

"If North Korea really has the (nuclear) capabilities, we will improve and enlarge the number of conventional weapons as long as it doesn't violate the principle of denuclearization," Defence Minister Yoon Kwang-ung told parliament.

Meanwhile a news report said Wednesday that Japan will impose a total ban on North Korean imports and prohibit its ships from entering Japanese ports, AP said.

The sanctions, which will include expanded restrictions on North Koreans entering Japan, were to be announced after some Cabinet ministers meet to discuss security issues Wednesday, public broadcaster NHK reported.

A US official said it is possible North Korea may attempt a second test but cautioned there's no evidence of any preparations at another site.

(With inputs from Associated Press)