(LEAD) Park condemns apparent N.K. nuke test

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VIENTIANE, Sept. 9 (Yonhap) -- President Park Geun-hye on Friday condemned North Korea's apparent nuclear test, saying that its provocation would only invite stronger international sanctions, deeper isolation and hasten its self-destruction.

Her remarks were issued after Park convened an emergency session in Vientiane to discuss Pyongyang's latest provocation.

Park, meanwhile, cut short her overseas trip after a magnitude 5 earthquake was detected near the North's nuclear site in its northeastern region, suggesting that the reclusive country carried out another nuclear test. If confirmed, it would be its fifth nuclear tests carried out since its first in 2006. Pyongyang conducted its last test in January.

Park is in the Laotian capital to attend bilateral and multilateral summits involving the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Laos is the third and last leg of her eight-day trip that also took her to Russia and China.

sshluck@yna.co.kr
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