Following this morning's closed-door session, the President of the 15-nation body, Ambassador Adolfo Aguilar Zinser of Mexico, told reporters that Council members "expressed their concern and the Council will continue to follow up developments on this matter."

In his comments to reporters, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said "everyone has been trying to ensure that it is dealt with peacefully." He added that he thought the next step should be "to get the parties talking and to find a format that will be acceptable to both parties and bring them to the table to talk."

In February, the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) referred the matter to the Council after its 35-nation Governing Board adopted a resolution finding the DPRK in further non-compliance with international nuclear safeguards. The text also called on Pyongyang to fully and urgently cooperate with international inspectors and to comply with its obligations under international non-proliferation treaties.

Video of the Council President speaking to reporters