S. Korea joins PSI after N. Korea's nuke test

By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, May 26 (Yonhap) -- South Korea, angered by North Korea's second nuclear
test, announced Tuesday that it will fully participate in a U.S.-led
nonproliferation campaign.

South Korea made the decision to join the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI)
following the North's April 5 rocket launch, but it had delayed a formal
announcement in consideration of its efforts to resume dialogue with the
communist neighbor. Government officials said there was no reason to wait any
longer as North Korea carried out another nuclear experiment on Monday.
The PSI is aimed at stopping the trafficking of weapons of mass destruction.
South Korea will be its 95th member.
The initiative does not directly target any country, but North Korea, long
suspected of exporting illicit weapons and parts, is understood to be a main
target. North Korea has repeatedly warned that the South's participation in the
PSI would be tantamount to a declaration of war.
lcd@yna.co.kr
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