ID :
152680
Wed, 12/08/2010 - 09:00
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/152680
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Japan, U.S., S. Korea vow to work closely together, rap N. Korea`s attack
WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 (Kyodo) - The foreign ministers of Japan, the United States and South Korea on Monday denounced North Korea's deadly shelling of a South Korean island last month and agreed to enhance their policy coordination in dealing with the issue.
In the trilateral meeting in Washington, Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and South Korean Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Kim Sung Hwan also urged China to do more in pressing North Korea to cease its provocative actions and fulfill its commitment to a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.
In a joint statement released after the meeting, the three ministers ''strongly condemned'' the military attack by North Korea and urged it to ''cease its provocative behavior'' and abide by the armistice agreement that ended the 1950-1953 Korean War.
At a joint press conference following their meeting, Kim called Pyongyang's Nov. 23 shelling ''an unlawful act'' and said, ''North Korea will face severe consequences'' if it engages in further provocations.
Clinton said, ''We all agreed that North Korea's provocative and belligerent behavior jeopardizes peace and stability in Asia.''
''We are deeply concerned by its unprovoked attack on the island of Yeonpyeong resulting in the loss of South Korean lives,'' she said, adding the United States is ''deeply committed'' to the defense of South Korea.
''China, as a vital partner in maintaining regional stability, a country with
unique and strong ties to North Korea, and chair of the six-party talks, has a
special role to play in helping to shape North Korea's behavior,'' Clinton
said.
Maehara also said the three expected ''a greater role'' by China in dealing
with issues related to North Korea.
The trilateral talks came after U.S. President Barack Obama pressed China in
his telephone talks Sunday with Chinese President Hu Jintao to work with the
United States and its allies to ''send a clear message'' to North Korea that
its provocations are unacceptable.
At the same time, the three ministers said their countries ''underscored their
enduring commitment to building strong, productive, and constructive relations
with China, and to achieving a common objective of creating a peaceful
Northeast Asian community of nations.''
In the joint statement, the three countries also condemned North Korea's
uranium enrichment and the start of construction of a light-water reactor,
saying such a step violates U.N. Security Council resolutions as well as the
North's commitment in the 2005 joint statement adopted in the six-party
meeting.
Maehara said it is necessary for China and Russia to be involved in efforts to
denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, noting it is important for the five
countries to form a united front in aiming for the goal.
On China's recent proposal for convening an urgent six-party meeting to discuss
the North Korean shelling, which killed four people, the three ministers agreed
that Pyongyang should first demonstrate its willingness to stop provocative
actions.
Clinton said North Korea must improve relations with South Korea, comply with
international obligations and take concrete steps toward denuclearization to
reopen the six-party talks, which involve two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and
the United States.
While the three countries remain committed to seeking opportunities for
dialogue, Clinton said, ''We will not reward North Korea for shattering the
peace or defying the international community.''
Beijing, a close ally of North Korea, has called for a gathering early this
month of chief delegates and argues that such a meeting would not mean the
reopening of stalled negotiations on denuclearizing North Korea.
However, Japan, the United States and South Korea have reacted negatively to
the proposal, saying North Korea should first demonstrate its intention to
cease provocative actions.
The three ministers also agreed to strengthen trilateral cooperation on
economic, political and security issues, the joint statement said.
Prior to the three-way meeting, the first of its kind since October 2006,
Maehara held talks with Clinton and exchanged views over the situation in North
Korea. He also met with Kim separately after the trilateral talks.
==Kyodo
In the trilateral meeting in Washington, Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and South Korean Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Kim Sung Hwan also urged China to do more in pressing North Korea to cease its provocative actions and fulfill its commitment to a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.
In a joint statement released after the meeting, the three ministers ''strongly condemned'' the military attack by North Korea and urged it to ''cease its provocative behavior'' and abide by the armistice agreement that ended the 1950-1953 Korean War.
At a joint press conference following their meeting, Kim called Pyongyang's Nov. 23 shelling ''an unlawful act'' and said, ''North Korea will face severe consequences'' if it engages in further provocations.
Clinton said, ''We all agreed that North Korea's provocative and belligerent behavior jeopardizes peace and stability in Asia.''
''We are deeply concerned by its unprovoked attack on the island of Yeonpyeong resulting in the loss of South Korean lives,'' she said, adding the United States is ''deeply committed'' to the defense of South Korea.
''China, as a vital partner in maintaining regional stability, a country with
unique and strong ties to North Korea, and chair of the six-party talks, has a
special role to play in helping to shape North Korea's behavior,'' Clinton
said.
Maehara also said the three expected ''a greater role'' by China in dealing
with issues related to North Korea.
The trilateral talks came after U.S. President Barack Obama pressed China in
his telephone talks Sunday with Chinese President Hu Jintao to work with the
United States and its allies to ''send a clear message'' to North Korea that
its provocations are unacceptable.
At the same time, the three ministers said their countries ''underscored their
enduring commitment to building strong, productive, and constructive relations
with China, and to achieving a common objective of creating a peaceful
Northeast Asian community of nations.''
In the joint statement, the three countries also condemned North Korea's
uranium enrichment and the start of construction of a light-water reactor,
saying such a step violates U.N. Security Council resolutions as well as the
North's commitment in the 2005 joint statement adopted in the six-party
meeting.
Maehara said it is necessary for China and Russia to be involved in efforts to
denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, noting it is important for the five
countries to form a united front in aiming for the goal.
On China's recent proposal for convening an urgent six-party meeting to discuss
the North Korean shelling, which killed four people, the three ministers agreed
that Pyongyang should first demonstrate its willingness to stop provocative
actions.
Clinton said North Korea must improve relations with South Korea, comply with
international obligations and take concrete steps toward denuclearization to
reopen the six-party talks, which involve two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and
the United States.
While the three countries remain committed to seeking opportunities for
dialogue, Clinton said, ''We will not reward North Korea for shattering the
peace or defying the international community.''
Beijing, a close ally of North Korea, has called for a gathering early this
month of chief delegates and argues that such a meeting would not mean the
reopening of stalled negotiations on denuclearizing North Korea.
However, Japan, the United States and South Korea have reacted negatively to
the proposal, saying North Korea should first demonstrate its intention to
cease provocative actions.
The three ministers also agreed to strengthen trilateral cooperation on
economic, political and security issues, the joint statement said.
Prior to the three-way meeting, the first of its kind since October 2006,
Maehara held talks with Clinton and exchanged views over the situation in North
Korea. He also met with Kim separately after the trilateral talks.
==Kyodo
