The recent declaration by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) of its intention to conduct a nuclear test "is most regrettable and causes serious concern," said a statement issued by the organization's preparatory commission based in Vienna.

It would "have an adverse impact on the process of global nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation, and aggravate regional and international security," said the statement.

The statement called on the DPRK government to heed the calls to continue a moratorium on nuclear weapon test explosions and "exercise in the future every restraint, in order to avoid steps that will have major international repercussions."

It urged the DPRK to sign and ratify the CTBT "without delay."

The statement also stressed the importance of sparing no effort to achieve the verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsulain a peaceful manner and maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in northeast Asia.

The CTBT was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Sept. 10, 1996 and was opened for signature two weeks later. Up to now, the treaty has been signed by 176 countries and ratified by 135 of them.