U.S., Allies Seek Chinese Pressure on North Korea
Hilary Clinton urges Russia, China to step in on North Korean nukes.
Dec. 6, 2010 -- The United States, Japan, and South Korea today urged China and Russia to help them put pressure on North Korea to give up its nuclear program and reduce tensions on the Korean peninsula. They also balked at a Chinese call for another round of Six Party Talks, saying North Korea must take certain steps before they agree to more negotiations.
"We all agree 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," Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told reporters, alongside her Japanese and South Korean counterparts after a meeting in Washington today. She said the shelling of Yeonpyeong was a violation of the 1953 armistice between North and South Korea. "We remain committed to seeking opportunities for dialogue, but we will not reward North Korea for shattering the peace or defying the international community," Clinton said.
"We first need an appropriate basis for the resumption of talks," she said, outlining what North Korea must take before the three countries would agree to talks. She said it must improve relations with South Korea, take steps to reduce tensions on the peninsula, and take steps to end its nuclear program.
On Sunday night President Obama discussed North Korea with Chinese President Hu Jintao. The White House said in a statement that President Obama "urged China to work with us and others to send a clear message to North Korea that its provocations are unacceptable." The Chinese Xinhua news agency reported that President Hu believed the situation must be dealt with quickly or else it might "spin out of control."
Tensions have run high in recent months, beginning with the North Korean sinking of a South Korean naval vessel earlier this year. Last month North Korea unveiled a secret uranium enrichment program, which the U.S. and others fear could be used to produce more nuclear weapons. Relations with South Korea deteriorated further two weeks ago when the North fired artillery shells at populated parts of Yeonpyeong last month, killing several civilians and South Korean marines.
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