UN chief warns slightest miscalculation could create ‘uncontrollable situation’ in Koreas

ROME – U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon warned Tuesday that even a slight miscalculation on the Korean peninsula could spiral into an “uncontrollable situation” as he urged North Korea to tone down its provocative rhetoric and ease the “very dangerous” level of tension.

Ban, a former South Korean foreign minister, also called on Pyongyang to restart work at the Kaesong industrial park near its border, the only remaining product of economic co-operation between the North and South Korea. North Korea on Tuesday pulled out more than 50,000 workers from the project.

Ban said the project “should not be affected by political considerations. This is purely an economic thing.”

North Korea on Tuesday urged foreign companies and tourists in South Korea to evacuate, saying the two countries are on the verge of a nuclear war. The new warning appeared to be an attempt to scare foreigners into pressing their governments to pressure Washington and Seoul to act to avert a conflict. Analysts see a direct attack on Seoul as extremely unlikely, and there are no overt signs that North Korea’s army is readying for war, let alone a nuclear one.

Ban said the increased tensions were “very dangerous” and urged restraint.

“If any small incident is caused by miscalculation or misjudgment, it may create an uncontrollable situation,” he said.

Ban spoke to reporters after meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican, where the situation on the Korean peninsula was one of a host of issues discussed.

The U.N. chief said he had invited the pope to the United Nations “at his earliest convenience.” Several popes have spoken to the U.N., including Pope Benedict XVI during a visit to New York to pay his respects to victims of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Ban praised Francis for his commitment to the poor and “deep sense of humility” as well as his interfaith outreach.

“Pope Francis is a man of peace and purpose. He is a voice for the voiceless,” Ban said.