Unification Ministry Chung Dong-young says North Korea's declaration that it possesses nuclear weapons does not necessarily make it an official nuclear-armed state.

Chung made the remarks on Monday during an interpellation session at the National Assembly.

Chung said that the Seoul government considers the North's declaration a mere 'claim' to own nuclear weapons and that it is premature to officially define the communist country as a nuclear state.

The Minister also said that North Korea has repeated more than ten times since April, 2003 its claims that it possesses nuclear arms. However, he pointed out that the case of North Korea is clearly different from that of India and Pakistan, which had conducted verifiable nuclear testing. Chung added that there is no conclusive evidence of nuclear testing by the North.

Chung said that Pyongyang is probably seeking to enhance its negotiating position in the stalled six-country talks by making the declaration. However, the minister also said its nuclear ambitions would make more difficult its prospective entry into the global community and urged Pyongyang to abide by the nuclear nonproliferation treaty.

Additionally, the Unification Minister, who also heads the National Security Council, acknowledged that his earlier prediction of the North's returning to the six-way talks in late February or early March would likely be disproved but he stressed that there is no urgent need for Seoul to immediately modify its policy toward the North.