concerns over that nation’s human rights record, including the documented persecution of Christians.

Japan’s Foreign Minister Taro Aso reportedly called North Korea’s nuclear test plans "totally unforgivable." Aso also told reporters Japan would react "sternly" if the North conducted the tests, according to Kyodo News agency.
 
The reported remarks came after North Korea’s Foreign Ministry said it will conduct a nuclear test to bolster its self-defense capability, in a statement carried on state media KCNA.

NUCLEAR WEAPONS

While North Korea has in the past said it possesses nuclear weapons, it hasn’t conducted any known tests, observers said. Japan’s government last month approved financial sanctions on the country after North Korea launched seven missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads into the Sea of Japan in July.

The latest development have underscored concerns that embattled North Korean leader Kim Jong Il wants to pressure the United States and its allies to ease sanctions to back up his regime despite international concern over his country’s human rights record.

Some observers say there are at least 200,000 people imprisoned in North Korea’s notorious prison camps, in many cases for their faith in Christ or opposition to the Communist government.

STALINIST SYSTEM

North Korea’s Stalinist system of carrying out Communism is based on "total devotion of the individual to an ideology promoted by the late leader Kim Il Sung and his successor and son, Kim Jong Il," observers who recently visited the isolated nation said.

Rick Warren, an American evangelical pastor and author, said recently he has been invited to preach some 15,000 Christians in North Korea, but critics fear this could be used as a propaganda tool by the government.

Several other Christian leaders, including Billy Graham, also visited North Korea. Warren’s intended trip was expected to be closely monitored by both human rights groups and the United States State Department, which designated North Korea as a "country of particular concern" for religious freedom violations. (With BosNewsLife Research, BosNewsLife Monitoring and reports from North Korea and Japan).    

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