VARIOUS: China repeats its call for dialogue to resolve the standoff on the Korean peninsula as more South Korean workers return from the industrial park jointly run with North Korea

Record ID: 213931

  • Title: VARIOUS: China repeats its call for dialogue to resolve the standoff on the Korean peninsula as more South Korean workers return from the industrial park jointly run with North Korea
  • Date: 11th April 2013
  • Summary: BEIJING, CHINA (APRIL 11, 2013) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY CHINESE NATIONAL FLAG FLYING CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN HONG LEI WALKING IN FOR REGULAR NEWS CONFERENCE JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN HONG LEI SAYING: "China always believes that no matter how the situation changes, (we) should always rely on dialogue and consultation to resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula, push for improvement of relations between all the parties and safeguard peace and stability of the Korean peninsula." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS PAJU, SOUTH KOREA (APRIL 11, 2013) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF VEHICLES FROM KAESONG INDUSTRIAL ZONE PASSING THROUGH BORDER GATE SOUTH KOREAN WORKERS WALKING THROUGH IMMIGRATION GATE (SOUNDBITE) (Korea) SOUTH KOREAN WORKER IN KAESONG INDUSTRIAL ZONE SAYING, WHO REQUESTED ANONYMITY, SAYING: "I told one of the workers that I hope we can meet again soon, and he said he hopes the same as well." VARIOUS OF SOUTH KOREAN SOLDIERS CLOSING BORDER GATE
  • Embargoed: 26th April 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: China
  • Country: China
  • Topics: Conflict,International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA1G536QCAWMJJ1BL5QA02TY9DG
  • Story Text: China on Thursday (April 11) said all parties should engage in dialogue and communication to ease tension on the Korean peninsula.
    Tensions on the peninsula escalated further after Pyongyang barred entry to the industrial park jointly run by North and South Korea, putting at risk a venture that is one of its few sources of income.

    "China always believes that no matter how the situation changes, (we) should always rely on dialogue and consultation to resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula, push for improvement of relations between all the parties, and safeguard peace and stability of the Korean peninsula," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a regular news conference in Beijing.
    Tension has been fuelled by North Korean anger over the imposition of U.N. sanctions after its last nuclear arms test in February, creating one of the worst periods of stress on the peninsula since the end of the Korean War in 1953.
    Pyongyang has threatened a nuclear strike on the United States - something it does not have the capacity to carry out - and "war" with what it calls "puppet" South Korea - threats that appear to be aimed at least in part at boosting internal support for Kim.
    South Korea has asked China, North Korea's sole major ally, to rein in the hermit state although its influence over Pyongyang is open to question.
    More South Korean workers on Thursday returned from the Kaesong industrial park where Pyongyang has suspended operations.
    One South Korean worker who declined to give his name said he parted on good terms with the North Koreans he worked with.

    "I told one of the workers that I hope we can meet again soon, and he said he hopes the same as well," he said.
    South Korea's Unification Ministry said 35 workers in Kaesong complex returned home on Thursday, leaving 262 workers at the complex.
    A total of 123 South Korean companies generate more than $80 million U.S. dollars a year cash in wages at the complex.
    North Korea's state-run television on Thursday released video footage of a rally to mark the anniversary of its leader Kim Jong-un's official assent to power.
    North Korea observes several anniversaries in the next few days and analysts said they could be occasions for displays of military strength.
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