Japan wants North Korea to respond promptly to an International Atomic Energy Agency resolution giving it a final opportunity to halt the reactivation of its nuclear facilities and dismantle its nuclear weapons program, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda told a news conference Tuesday.
Describing the IAEA resolution adopted Monday in Vienna as a clear message from the international community, Fukuda said that Japan "strongly urges North Korea to take specific actions to dismantle its nuclear weapons program promptly in a verifiable manner."
During an emergency meeting in Vienna, the 35-nation IAEA board unanimously adopted the resolution, which gives North Korea "one last chance" to resolve the nuclear standoff before the case is referred to the U.N. Security Council.
Fukuda declined to comment on whether economic sanctions should be imposed on North Korea in the future. , remarking only that the world should watch how Pyongyang reacts to the resolution issued by the U.N. nuclear watchdog.