U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has reportedly stressed the need to make sure an armed conflict doesn’t break out between the two Koreas.

Brazilian media quoted Ban as making the statement during a speech at the third forum of the Alliance of Civilizations that was held in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday.

Ban expressed concerns about possible armed conflicts erupting between the two Koreas, as tensions mount on the Korean Peninsula after Seoul blamed the North for sinking the “Cheonan” naval ship in an announcement of a probe into the ship's sinking.

Before arriving in Brazil, Ban said in New York that he is confident the U.N. Security Council will take measures appropriate to the gravity of the situation. He also stressed that the issue must be addressed in an objective, fair and responsible manner.