German foreign ministry summons DPRK ambassador

BERLIN - German Foreign Ministry summoned the ambassador of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Friday to convey Berlin's concerns over rising tensions in the Korean peninsula.

Berlin was consulting with international and European partners to seek a "decisive and united" response, German Foreign Ministry spokesperson Andreas Peschke said at a regular briefing.

Tensions have been running high in the Korean Peninsula since DPRK conducted its third nuclear test on February 12 in protest against the joint military drills between Seoul and Washington.

The DPRK declared last weekend that it had entered "a state of war" against the Republic of Korea. It has also threatened to launch a preemptive nuclear strike for self-defense.