The tense situation over North Korea's nuclear program has one top Russian diplomat sounding the alarm. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov said that the world can no longer turn a "blind eye" to alarming speed with which North Korea is advancing their weapons of mass destruction.

North Korea's nuclear program could evolve into an "apocalyptic" scenario, Morgulov said.  He was speaking at the opening of the eighth annual Asian Conference of the Valdai Discussion Club, which is being held in Seoul, South Korea, CNBC reports.  "I hope that a common sense, pragmatism, and an instinct of self-preservation would prevail among our partners," Morgulov added.

The Russian diplomat's remarks come amid global concerns over North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's refusal to abandon his nuclear ambitions despite mounting international pressure. North Korea has conducted a record number of long-range missile tests this year, and in early September it carried out its sixth and most powerful nuclear test.