Russia, China Voice Concern Over North Korea’s Fifth Nuclear Test

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov and China's special representative for the Korean Peninsula, Wu Dawei, voiced deep concern over North Korea's recent nuclear test, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Saturday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — North Korea confirmed on Friday that it had carried out a nuclear test in the country's northeast. The blast is believed to be the fifth and largest since Pyongyang began pursuing nuclear and ballistic missile programs, drawing condemnation from the international community.

"Both sides expressed serious concern in connection with North Korea's latest nuclear test. Moscow and Beijing called on all the countries concerned to refrain from steps that could lead to further escalation of tension," the ministry said in a statement, after Morgulov and Wu held a telephone conversation.