2nd LD Writethru: UN chief warns of global ramifications from war in Northeast Asia

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday warned that armed conflict in Northeast Asia "would have global ramifications."

"We must act now to prevent conflict and achieve sustainable peace," he told an open meeting of the UN Security Council on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.

Guterres condemned "in the strongest terms" the repeated violations of the relevant Security Council resolutions by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

"The absence of communication channels with the DPRK is dangerous," Guterres said. "Armed conflict in Northeast Asia, which is home to one fifth of the world's people and gross domestic product, would have global ramifications."

"We need to avoid miscalculation and misunderstanding," he said. "We need to act now to prevent conflict and achieve sustainable peace."

He urged the DPRK to refrain from further testing, comply with the relevant Security Council resolutions, and explore the resumption of dialogue.

He also asked to reopen and strengthen communication channels, particularly military-to-military ones, to lower the risk of miscalculation or misunderstanding.

The UN chief asked all UN member states to implement relevant Security Council resolutions.

"I am particularly concerned by the possibility that efforts to offset the destabilizing activities of the DPRK could also result in increased arms competition and tensions, further impeding the ability of the international community to maintain unity and achieve a peaceful solution," Guterres said.

"The onus is on the DPRK to comply with its international obligations," he said. "At the same time, the international community must also step up its efforts to manage and reduce tensions." Endi