North Korea on Monday notified the U.S., China and Russia of its plan to conduct a nuclear test. It did not inform South Korea.
Chun Young-woo, the senior presidential secretary for foreign affairs and security, said the North told the U.S., China and Russia on Monday evening, and Beijng and Washington in turn informed Seoul.
The Chinese government until the last minute attempted to dissuade the North, a South Korean government official said Tuesday.
"Immediately after it was informed of the nuclear test by the North, the Chinese Foreign Ministry called in South Korean Ambassador Lee Kyu-hyung in Beijing around midnight Monday to tell him of the North's plan," the official added.
The North informed the U.S. on Monday through its permanent representation at the UN in New York. The U.S. also immediately informed Seoul through a diplomatic channel.
