ID :
53766
Sat, 04/04/2009 - 08:45
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/53766
The shortlink copeid
Lee, Hu express concern over N. Korean rocket launch
LONDON, April 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and Chinese President Hu Jintao on Friday expressed concerns over North Korea's planned launch of a "satellite" as the five-day time frame during which the launch is scheduled to take place drew near.
"The two heads of state noted North Korea's firing of a long-range rocket will
have a negative impact on the peace and stability of Northeast Asia and agreed on
the need for discussions between related countries in case North Korea launches
the rocket," the South Korean presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said in a press
release.
Pyongyang earlier said it will launch the communications satellite between
Saturday and Wednesday. South Korea believes the test is a cover for a long-range
missile test. Earlier reports said that the North has begun fueling the rocket, a
clear sign the launch is imminent.
In a separate meeting held Thursday, the South Korean president and his U.S.
counterpart Barack Obama agreed to push for a U.N. Security Council resolution
condemning North Korea should it go through with the launch.
China, one of North Korea's closest allies, is widely expected to oppose taking
any punitive action against Pyongyang over the rocket issue.
A senior U.S. official earlier said following a meeting between Hu and Obama that
the Chinese were "clearly concerned" about a possible launch, but that they have
not said what they will do if other countries tried to take the issue to the U.N.
Security Council.
"The Chinese have not said what they are going to do, have not said that they
will block action. I think what the Chinese will do is still to be seen," the
official said, according to the transcript of his background press briefing
posted on the Web site of the U.S. Embassy in London.
Lee, the South Korean president, earlier noted the need to secure the support of
China and Russia, both permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and close
allies of North Korea, if any meaningful action is to be taken through the
Security Council.
"President Lee and President Hu agreed the complete and verifiable dismantlement
of the North Korean nuclear program must be realized at an early date through the
six-party talks and agreed to closely work together toward that end," Cheong Wa
Dae said, referring to a six-nation forum aimed at denuclearizing North Korea
that also involve the United States, Japan and Russia.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
"The two heads of state noted North Korea's firing of a long-range rocket will
have a negative impact on the peace and stability of Northeast Asia and agreed on
the need for discussions between related countries in case North Korea launches
the rocket," the South Korean presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said in a press
release.
Pyongyang earlier said it will launch the communications satellite between
Saturday and Wednesday. South Korea believes the test is a cover for a long-range
missile test. Earlier reports said that the North has begun fueling the rocket, a
clear sign the launch is imminent.
In a separate meeting held Thursday, the South Korean president and his U.S.
counterpart Barack Obama agreed to push for a U.N. Security Council resolution
condemning North Korea should it go through with the launch.
China, one of North Korea's closest allies, is widely expected to oppose taking
any punitive action against Pyongyang over the rocket issue.
A senior U.S. official earlier said following a meeting between Hu and Obama that
the Chinese were "clearly concerned" about a possible launch, but that they have
not said what they will do if other countries tried to take the issue to the U.N.
Security Council.
"The Chinese have not said what they are going to do, have not said that they
will block action. I think what the Chinese will do is still to be seen," the
official said, according to the transcript of his background press briefing
posted on the Web site of the U.S. Embassy in London.
Lee, the South Korean president, earlier noted the need to secure the support of
China and Russia, both permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and close
allies of North Korea, if any meaningful action is to be taken through the
Security Council.
"President Lee and President Hu agreed the complete and verifiable dismantlement
of the North Korean nuclear program must be realized at an early date through the
six-party talks and agreed to closely work together toward that end," Cheong Wa
Dae said, referring to a six-nation forum aimed at denuclearizing North Korea
that also involve the United States, Japan and Russia.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
