S. Korean, Australian leaders agree on joint reaction to N. Korea

SEOUL, May 26 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and Australian
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd agreed Tuesday to join their efforts in seeking a
strong international reaction to what they called a "provocative" nuclear test by
North Korea, Lee's spokesman said.

The Australian prime minister said the nuclear test was a dangerous activity that
seriously undermined peace and stability in the region while speaking to Lee over
the phone, said the spokesman, Lee Dong-kwan.
President Lee said the latest North Korean nuclear test was causing more serious
concerns than its first nuclear explosion test conducted 2006, noting the size
and capability of the nuclear device detonated in the second test appeared to
have grown.
Seoul said on Monday that it detected artificial seismic activities in the
communist state that appeared to have been caused by a nuclear explosion.
Pyongyang later said it conducted an underground nuclear test.
"President Lee and Prime Minister Rudd agreed the international community,
including the United Nations Security Council, must take practical measures
against the North this time," the spokesman told reporters.
The South Korean president earlier said Pyongyang was "rewarded," not punished,
when it first set off a nuclear device 2006 while speaking with his U.S.
counterpart Barack Obama over the phone earlier Tuesday.
Lee also held a telephone conversation with Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso
after Pyongyang's announcement Monday.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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