Wen Jiabao speaks of need defuse tensions over sinking of warship, after talks Japanese and South Korean leaders
The Chinese premier, Wen Jiabao, today warned of an urgent need defuse tensions on the Korean peninsula, appeared brush off calls take tougher line towards North Korea.
Wen made comments at trilateral regional summit meeting Japanese and South Korean leaders that was meant focus economic issues. Inevitably, controversy over sinking of South’s warship last month took centre stage at talks.
Seoul blames Pyongyang destroying its warship, Cheonan, with a torpedo North has denied any involvement.
South Korea has said it intends take issue United Nations security council. It is pushing Beijing support because, as North Korea′s main ally and a permanent member council, China could use its veto block a resolution or a statement.
China says it is still assessing evidence March sinking, in which 46 sailors died.
Addressing closing news conference at the summit in Seogwipo, South Korea, Wen said: “The urgent task the moment to properly handle the serious impact caused by the Cheonan incident, gradually defuse tensions over it and avoid possible conflicts.”
Yang Moo-jin, professor at University of North Korean Studies Seoul, said he doubted whether security council would take up issue. “Wen Jiabao’s speech today gave no practical measures dealing Cheonan incident,” he said.
The South Korean president, Lee Myung-bak, said three leaders would continue discussing issue. According an aide, Lee told his guests: “We are not afraid war, but nor do we want one. We have no intention fighting war.”
At separate briefing, Japan’s prime minister, Yukio Hatoyama, said: “China was cautious because it does not want North Korea to lash out.”
Wen has flown to Tokyo three-day visit, where officials are expected to press him again to support action over the Cheonan.
Stephanie Kleine-Ahlbrandt, north-east Asia project director for the International Crisis Group, said that even if China backed security council action, it might not prove effective. “We have seen plenty of cases which external pressure has not worked North Korea,” she said.
Tens of thousands of people packed Pyongyang’s main square today for rally condemning Seoul Washington. They clapped pumped their fists the air. Associated Press reported that they carried huge portrait of the country’s leader shouted anti-South Korean slogans.
“Because South Korean war-loving, mad puppets American invaders, North South relationship being driven catastrophe,” Choi Yong Rim, secretary North Korean Workers party Pyongyang, told rally.
The North has organised such rallies during previous international disputes.
Relations at 12-year low on peninsula, South suspending trade and taking other tough measures towards North after an investigation blamed it for sinking, North retaliating announcing it would sever all ties.
South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported that military had put off plans to drop propaganda leaflets North. It cited an unnamed official and said plans for loudspeaker broadcasts across border would probably put on hold too.
The South had announced it would resume psychological warfare after six-year break. It has already begun radio broadcasts and plans to install loudspeakers heavily fortified border area, although Pyongyang had warned that it would fire at any such equipment.
“Leaflet distribution had been put off due to weather conditions but we have now decided to put it hold for the time being, considering the political situation,” the official said.
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