Japan's Abe demands new response to North Korea

The Japanese prime minister didn't mince words on Wednesday during an address to the UN General Assembly, demanding that the international community finds a more efficient way to respond to Pyongyang's recent belligerence.

"The threat to the international community has become increasingly grave and all the more realistic," Abe said. "It demands a new means of addressing it, altogether different from what we applied until yesterday."

His comments come a day after US President Barack Obama and Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang agreed to increase cooperation in restraining North Korea - including even the possibility of sanctions.

Abe's address also comes the same day the US engaged in a show of military prowess on the Korean peninsula, flying two bombers over South Korea in a clear signal to Pyongyang.

'This is unacceptable'

North Korea conducted a major nuclear test on September 9, triggering a 5.3-magnitude earthquake and rattling nerves across the globe.

The test followed a series of missile launches over the past few months, including a triple missile launch only days prior to the nuclear test. The country had already conducted another nuclear test in January.

Days after the nuclear test, South Korea said the north was likely able to carry out another one at any time. Japan, meanwhile, stepped up its criticism of the country.

"North Korea went ahead with two nuclear tests in just nine months," Abe said on September 12. "This is absolutely unacceptable."

blc/jil (dpa, Reuters, AFP)