S. Korea, China discuss denuclearization of Korean Peninsula - Reports
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According to media sources, the South Korean nuclear envoy and his Chinese counterpart discuss nuclear non-proliferation on the Korean Peninsula.
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The two parties agreed to keep a close eye on Pyongyang's possible missile launches and cooperate to prevent the destabilization of the situation (Photo: AP)
The South Korean nuclear envoy Kim Gunn and his Chinese counterpart Liu Xiaoming held a phone call, in which they discussed nuclear non-proliferation on the Korean Peninsula, media reported on Tuesday, citing the South Korean Foreign Ministry.
This comes after the DPRK's latest missile launch towards the Sea of Japan on November 9, which flew 155 miles.
The two parties agreed to keep a close eye on Pyongyang's possible missile launches and cooperate to prevent the destabilization of the situation, Yonhap news agency said.
With regard to the recent activities of DPRK's armed forces, the report added that the South Korean envoy appealed to China to escalate its involvement in promoting the denuclearization of the peninsula. South Korea’s envoy also stressed that a "grave message" must be sent to Pyongyang in order to avoid any more escalation, as per Yonhap.
In turn, Liu stated that Beijing would "continue to play a constructive role" in promoting peace and security in the region and intensifying its denuclearization efforts.
The last round of discussions between the two diplomats took place in July.
Early in November, DPRK launched four short-range ballistic missiles in the direction of the Yellow Sea, according to the South Korean military, as reported by the Yonhap news agency.
Read: DPRK fires 10 missiles towards Sea of Japan, Yellow Sea
Pyongyang carried out 33 missile launches in total in 2022. The DPRK later launched over 20 missiles, one of which came within striking distance of South Korean territorial seas while traveling through the South for the first time since the Korean War.
DPRK announced it was in retribution for provocations by South Korea, which included recent joint drills with the US.
This came after the US Defense Ministry official in Seoul announced that a US B-1B strategic bomber is set to participate in the joint air drills with South Korea.
The US and South Korea warned that the succession of launches could lead to a "nuclear test" by DPRK.
As a South Korean Defense Ministry official reported to AFP, a US Air Force B-1B strategic bomber would participate on the last day of exercises, dubbed Vigilant Storm.
On November 1, the DPRK issued a warning to the United States and South Korea against continuing their joint military drills, vowing a more powerful response to US provocations.
"The situation in the Korean Peninsula and its vicinity has entered the serious confrontation phase of power for power again due to the ceaseless and reckless military moves of the US and South Korea," North Korea's Foreign Ministry said in a Monday statement that was carried by the country's official KCNA news agency.
"If the US continuously persists in the grave military provocations, the DPRK will take into account more powerful follow-up measures," the statement added.
Read: US, China Presidents to meet in Bali Nov. 14 on regional, world issues
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