Leaders of all three countries, including Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, say the launch will violate a United Nations resolution passed after North Korea's 2006 nuclear weapon test.

VOA: standard.2009.03.27

Clinton said a North Korean missile launch, for any purpose, would be a provocative act and a violation of U.N.Security Council resolution 1718 - approved after its 2006 nuclear test- demanding an end to Pyonyang's nuclear weapon and missile programs.

VOA: standard.2009.03.25

Though it was under Mr. Sharif, in 1998, that Pakistan caught up with its neighbor and conducted its first test of a nuclear weapon, the man who is poised to lead Pakistan's next government is making rapprochement with India a cornerstone of his policy.

WSJ: Pakistan's Newly Elected Leader Seeks Better India Ties

Countries other than the recognized nuclear powers who attempt to test a weapon must first manufacture or obtain a weapon, which would constitute a violation of the NPT.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Senator Lott Deserves Great Credit for Securing Vote

To the extent possible, nonnuclear tests are used to assess weapon safety and performance and together with past nuclear test results are used to validate computer simulations.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: US Nuclear Stockpile