Japanese Ambassador to the United Nations Yukio Takasu said here on Monday that the nuclear test conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is an "extremely important challenge" to the authority of the UN Security Council.

Takasu told reporters after an emergency Security Council meeting on Monday afternoon that the UNSC Resolution 1718 and the Presidential Statement in April concerning DPRK's rocket launch are very clear, "but the DPRK didn't heed to the call of the Security Council."

He said if the DPRK keeps going in this way, it will pose a grave threat to the authority and prestige of the 15-member body.

"What is the real meaning of the Security Council passing a resolution?" said Takasu, adding that "there should be very consequence" to the nuclear test.

He said the nuclear test is not only "obviously a direct threat of the peace and security to Japan and Asia, but also a global threat to the non-proliferation regime."

"It is very unfortunate when the global leaders are now working for the efforts of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation ... The DPRK's act is just counter to this one," said Takasu.

"So therefore we need a proper, firm and clear message from this, preferably a resolution," he said, adding that Japan is very pleased that "no dissenting view" appeared among the 15 countries on a resolution.

Takasu said the member countries have been working on the details of the resolution at the moment and "additional element" of sanctions will be included.

"Measures taken in April actions did no have a good effect on this one ... We will discuss with interest countries for the most effective way to deal with the matter," he said.

After the brief closed-door meeting requested by Japan, the UN Security Council voiced "the strong opposition to and condemnation of" the DPRK nuclear test, demanding Pyongyang comply fully with its obligation under Resolutions 1695 (2006) and 1718 (2006) and other related Security Council resolutions and statements.

"The members of the Security Council have decided to start work immediately on a Security Council resolution on this matter in accordance with the Security Council's responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations," said Vitaly Churkin, Russia ambassador to the UN and also the rotating Council president for May.

The five permanent veto-wielding members of the Council -- China, the United States, Russia, Britain and France -- also met for over an hour with the ambassadors of Japan and the Republic of Korea ahead of the meeting of all 15 members.

The DPRK said on Monday it successfully conducted "one more" underground nuclear test earlier in the day, arousing immediate concerns and various responses from the world community.

The country has been under UN sanctions that prevent it from nuclear and ballistic activity since its first atomic test in 2006.Last month, the Security Council condemned the DPRK's launch of what the United States and Japan said was a long-range missile while the DPRK insisted was a rocket carrying a peaceful satellite.

The Security Council then called for tougher enforcement of UN financial sanctions and a limited trade embargo against Pyongyang. In response, Pyongyang announced it would boycott the six-party talks on the Korean Peninsular nuclear issue, and restart a nuclear plant.

Source:Xinhua