Nov. 3 (Bloomberg) -- North Korea's nuclear test hasn't tipped the military balance on the Korean peninsula, South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun said.

``Now that North Korea has tested its nuclear weapon, and should it continue to develop nuclear weapons, would that break the military balance on the Korean peninsula?'' Roh asked rhetorically at a meeting yesterday of the Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency. ``I think not, for now.''

North Korea said it detonated a nuclear bomb on Oct. 9, drawing international condemnation. Kim Jong Il's government agreed this week to return to six-party talks, with South Korea, the U.S., China, Japan and Russia, on dismantling its nuclear weapons program, on condition the issue of U.S. financial sanctions is discussed.

South Korea is under pressure from the U.S., its biggest ally, to enforce United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718, which bans all trade with North Korea in materials and technology that may be used for nuclear and chemical weapons. In contrast to the U.S. and Japan, South Korea and China have opted to try to persuade the communist nation to agree to nuclear disarmament through dialogue.

``We will not, under any circumstance, condone a nuclear North Korea,'' Roh said yesterday. ``We will strive for North Korea's dismantling of nuclear weapons at all costs.''

Roh, whose engagement policy with North Korea has recently come under attack by the opposition Grand National Party, said he supports maintaining peace with the northern neighbor.

``Our people acknowledge that North Korea cannot be an enemy forever,'' Roh said. ``We will try to maintain amicable relations with North Korea for our freedom and stability.''

To contact the reporter on this story: Heejin Koo in Seoul at hjkoo@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: November 2, 2006 17:59 EST