(LEAD) Blinken reaffirms U.S. commitment to NPT, citing threats posed by N. Korea, Iran

(ATTN: UPDATES with additional remarks from Blinken in last 3 paras)
By Byun Duk-kun

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted the importance of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) on Monday, citing threats posed by North Korea and Iran.

The top U.S. diplomat reiterated the world faced a "critical moment" amid fears of a potential North Korean nuclear test.

"And so we come together at a critical moment. The DPRK continues to expand its unlawful nuclear program and continues its ongoing provocations against the region," Blinken said, addressing the 10th NPT Review Conference at the U.N. headquarters in New York.

"As we gather today Pyongyang is preparing to conduct its seventh nuclear test. Iran remains on a path of nuclear escalation," he added.

DPRK stands for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Seoul and Washington have said the North appears to have completed "all preparations" for a nuclear test and that it may be only gauging the timing.

Pyongyang conducted its sixth and last nuclear test in September 2017. The reclusive country withdrew from the NPT in January 2003.

Blinken said the U.S. will not use nuclear weapons, unless necessary to defend itself and its allies.

"As long as nuclear weapons exist, the fundamental role of U.S. nuclear weapons is to deter nuclear attacks on the United States, on our allies and partners," he said.

"The United States would only consider the use of nuclear weapons in extreme circumstances to defend the vital interests of the United States and its allies and partners," added Blinken.

bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)