ID :
62315
Tue, 05/26/2009 - 07:34
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/62315
The shortlink copeid
S. Korea, Japan agree on U.N.-level reaction to N. Korea nuke test
By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL/HANOI, May 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan had face-to-face consultations Monday with his Japanese and Chinese counterparts on ways to deal with North Korea's second nuclear test, receiving responses of differing tones.
Yu and Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone agreed to push for a U.N.
Security Council emergency meeting on the issue as early as possible, South
Korean foreign ministry spokesman Moon Tae-young told reporters. Their meeting
was held on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Hanoi.
But China called for related nations to seek countermeasures in a calm and
cool-headed manner, signaling another round of heated debate lies ahead over the
level of the U.N.-level punishment against Pyongyang.
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said in his bilateral meeting with Yu that
the denuclearization of North Korea should be a top priority.
"Yang said that maintaining peace and stability in the region is important," Moon
said.
Sources in Beijing said North Korea had given prior notice to China about the
nuclear test, although it was not clear exactly when the notice was given.
Moon added that the South Korean government will keep a close watch on the
situation and consult closely with the United States and other nations on joint
strategies.
On top of the diplomatic consultations, the South Korean government was busy
mapping out its own countermeasures. President Lee Myung-bak called a meeting of
security-related ministers. Vice Foreign Minister Kwon Jong-rak attended the
meeting on behalf of Yu, who is in Vietnam. Yu's aides said the minister may cut
short his trip to Hanoi by a day and return to Seoul on early Tuesday morning.
Seoul's top nuclear envoy, Wi Sung-lac, also had a meeting of related director
general-level officials at the foreign ministry.
The government is expected to issue a statement on the North's nuclear test after
the national security meeting presided over by the president.
North Korea had threatened to conduct another nuclear test in anger over the U.N.
Security Council's condemnation of its April 4 rocket launch. The U.S. and Japan
pushed for a new resolution against the launch, but China and Russia blocked the
move. The two sides reached a compromise on a non-binding but strongly-worded
presidential statement.
A week after the North's first known nuclear experiment in October 2006, the U.N.
council issued Resolution 1718, which calls for financial and trade sanctions
against the communist nation.
SEOUL/HANOI, May 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan had face-to-face consultations Monday with his Japanese and Chinese counterparts on ways to deal with North Korea's second nuclear test, receiving responses of differing tones.
Yu and Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone agreed to push for a U.N.
Security Council emergency meeting on the issue as early as possible, South
Korean foreign ministry spokesman Moon Tae-young told reporters. Their meeting
was held on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Hanoi.
But China called for related nations to seek countermeasures in a calm and
cool-headed manner, signaling another round of heated debate lies ahead over the
level of the U.N.-level punishment against Pyongyang.
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said in his bilateral meeting with Yu that
the denuclearization of North Korea should be a top priority.
"Yang said that maintaining peace and stability in the region is important," Moon
said.
Sources in Beijing said North Korea had given prior notice to China about the
nuclear test, although it was not clear exactly when the notice was given.
Moon added that the South Korean government will keep a close watch on the
situation and consult closely with the United States and other nations on joint
strategies.
On top of the diplomatic consultations, the South Korean government was busy
mapping out its own countermeasures. President Lee Myung-bak called a meeting of
security-related ministers. Vice Foreign Minister Kwon Jong-rak attended the
meeting on behalf of Yu, who is in Vietnam. Yu's aides said the minister may cut
short his trip to Hanoi by a day and return to Seoul on early Tuesday morning.
Seoul's top nuclear envoy, Wi Sung-lac, also had a meeting of related director
general-level officials at the foreign ministry.
The government is expected to issue a statement on the North's nuclear test after
the national security meeting presided over by the president.
North Korea had threatened to conduct another nuclear test in anger over the U.N.
Security Council's condemnation of its April 4 rocket launch. The U.S. and Japan
pushed for a new resolution against the launch, but China and Russia blocked the
move. The two sides reached a compromise on a non-binding but strongly-worded
presidential statement.
A week after the North's first known nuclear experiment in October 2006, the U.N.
council issued Resolution 1718, which calls for financial and trade sanctions
against the communist nation.
