China on Monday called for an easing of tension on the Korean Peninsula, a day after North Korea's top military body warned of "catastrophic consequences" in the latest angry reaction to the international community's stepped-up censure of its human rights record. 
   
In protest against a United Nations resolution condemning its grave human rights violations, North Korea threatened last week to conduct a new nuclear test. On Sunday, the North's omnipotent National Defense Commission issued a fresh threat, saying South Korea, the United States and Japan would not be safe if a nuclear war break out. 
   
Asked about the North's latest threat, China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying urged "all relevant sides" to make efforts to ease tension. 
   
"Under the current circumstances, all relevant sides should work together, remain committed to dialogue and contact and to deescalating the situation on the Korean Peninsula," Hua said. 
   
North Korea has conducted three nuclear test since 2006, including the third and most powerful one in February last year. 
  
Led by the European Union and Japan, the U.N. resolution against North Korea is now before the U.N. General Assembly for a vote. It calls on the U.N. Security Council to refer North Korea's top leaders to the International Criminal Court for punishment.
   
The resolution will be non-binding unless endorsed by the Security Council where China and Russia, both friendly to North Korea, have veto power. China has already openly voiced its objection to the resolution. (Yonhap)