'Singapore has condemned the nuclear test and the missile launches. Asean as a whole has also done so, and so has Asean together with our dialogue partners at a meeting recently,' said Mr Lee, referring to an Asean- European Union Ministerial Meeting held last Wednesday, two days after North Korea's test.

'Therefore, it is good that we reiterate this position here at the meeting in Jeju and re-emphasise our support for a denuclearised Korean peninsula to be achieved by peaceful means. This is a long process, but a statement that we support this objective and that we will work towards achieving it will, I believe, be helpful.'

Mr Lee was speaking at a meeting with fellow leaders at the Asean-South Korea summit.

Asean and South Korea are to issue a joint statement today to condemn North Korea's nuclear test as a 'provocative act' which 'seriously undermines peace and stability in North-east Asia and the world', a South Korean press statement said yesterday.

The statement will also say the leaders will urge the North to comply with United Nations resolutions and return to six-party nuclear disarmament talks.

-end of ST article