Thailand calls for resumption of six-party talks

BANGKOK, February 8 (TNA) - The Thai government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has called for the resumption of the so-called "six-party talks" on nuclear issues in the Korean Peninsular. Thai Foreign Ministry Spokesman Sek Wannamethee announced on Monday that Thailand reiterates its position expressed on January 6, 2016 in urging Pyongyang to halt its nuclear program and in calling upon an early resumption of the six-party talks, which involve North Korea, South Korea, China, the United States, Japan and Russia and aim to find out a peaceful resolution to security concerns resulting from North Korea's nuclear weapons programs. The spokesman said Thailand attaches great importance to the building of peace and security in the Korean Peninsula and, thus, stands ready to support and continue to fully abide by relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The spokesman's remarks were in response to North Korea's latest launch of a long-range rocket on February 7. The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed regrets on the North Korean move and blamed it for violating UNSC resolutions and threatening global security. Pyongyang had announced a plan to launch an earth observation satellite, but it reportedly launched a long-range rocket instead. According to the spokesman, Sunday's launch of a long-range rocket by North Korea appears to violate UNSC resolutions and ignores the international community's concerns on its nuclear weapon projects, which have threatened international peace and security. (TNA)