The government has strongly condemned North Korea's fifth nuclear test, calling it a serious provocation that will not, by any means, be overlooked.
 
First Deputy Director Cho Tae-yong of the presidential National Security Office said in a government statement Friday that the North is continuously engaging in extremely dangerous provocations by pushing ahead in advancing its nuclear weapons and missiles.

Cho said the North must clearly realize that it has nothing to gain with such a pursuit, warning that the regime will face stronger international sanctions and further diplomatic isolation.
 
He also said that in the end, the North's economy will collapse and the regime will be on the road to self-destruction.
 
Cho said Seoul again calls on the North to immediately dismantle its nuclear and missile programs in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.
 
Cho stressed that Seoul will make all-out efforts to devise stronger sanctions against the North. He also stressed that the government will maintain full readiness to respond to any provocations that threaten South Korea and its people and deal with any related provocations in a firm manner.

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