Asian leaders agree to cooperate on N. Korea, global warming

Asian leaders agree to cooperate on N. Korea, global warming
By Byun Duk-kun
HUA HIN, Thailand, Oct. 25 (Yonhap) -- Leaders from Asia and the region's
dialogue partners agreed Sunday to closely cooperate in dealing with pressing
international issues, such as the denuclearization of North Korea and global
warming.

The agreement came at the annual East Asia Summit between 10 member states of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and their main dialogue partners,
South Korea, Japan, China, India, Australia and New Zealand.
"President Lee Myung-bak stressed the need for the international community to
recognize and encourage efforts by developing economies to voluntarily reduce
their greenhouse gas emissions," Lee's presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said in
a press release.
Developing countries, including South Korea, are not currently required to cut
carbon emissions, but Seoul took the initiative of voluntary reduction this year
and has been calling on others to follow suit.
"In addition, the president reaffirmed the country's strong commitment to work
with others through its East Asia Climate Partnership," the press release said.
The South Korean head of state arrived here Friday as part of his three-nation
tour as part of his efforts to improve the country's ties with ASEAN. He has
visited Vietnam and Cambodia.
Lee sought the region's support for the denuclearization of North Korea,
explaining his recent proposal of a "grand bargain" that would rid the communist
nation of its nuclear programs in one single step, instead of in phases.
"The leaders at the summit noted the need for a peaceful resolution of the North
Korean nuclear issue to secure peace and stability in the region and to guard the
international nuclear non-proliferation regime," Cheong Wa Dae said.
They expressed support for the continued implementation of U.N. sanctions on the
North and an early resumption of six-party nuclear talks with North Korea, it
added. The sanctions were imposed in June after Pyongyang conducted its second
atomic test the previous month.
North Korea has been boycotting the nuclear negotiations since late last year and
said in April that it was pulling out of the talks. The multilateral forum
involves South and North Korea, the U.S., Japan, China and Russia.
Lee called on the Asian leaders to support Korea's hosting of a G-20 economic
summit next year, which includes six members from the East Asia Summit.
The South Korean leader was to return home later Sunday.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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