CHINA/JAPAN: U.S. and Japan officials condemn North Korea's shelling of a South Korean island

Record ID: 465178

  • Title: CHINA/JAPAN: U.S. and Japan officials condemn North Korea's shelling of a South Korean island
  • Date: 25th November 2010
  • Summary: BEIJING, CHINA (NOVEMBER 24, 2010) (REUTERS) TOP U.S. ENVOY ON NORTH KOREA STEPHEN BOSWORTH WALKING INTO LOBBY (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. ENVOY ON NORTH KOREA STEPHEN BOSWORTH SAYING "We call on all members of the international community to condemn the DPRK's act and we call upon the DPRK to cease all provocations and implement denuclearisation." PHOTOGRAPHER (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. ENVOY ON NORTH KOREA STEPHEN BOSWORTH SAYING "The U.S. remains firmly committed to the defence of the Republic of Korea and to the maintenance of peace and stability in northeast Asia. Thank you very much." BOSWORTH WALKING AWAY TOKYO, JAPAN (NOVEMBER 24, 2010) (REUTERS) TOKYO STOCK EXCHANGE (TSE) BUILDING TSE STOCK MONITORING DESKS TSE OFFICIALS MONITORING STOCKS AND TRADE ELECTRONIC TICKER TAPE VISITORS TO TSE WATCHING STOCK PRICES VISITOR'S PLATFORM OVERLOOKING THE TSE FLOOR ELECTRONIC STOCK BOARD SHOWING NIKKEI AVERAGE 9913.54 DOWN 201.65 TOKYO STOCK EXCHANGE FLOOR
  • Embargoed: 10th December 2010 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: War / Fighting,International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA4G0TFK83L6WDTC79IKIW9HWT3
  • Story Text: The United States stands by its ally South Korea and condemns North Korea's shelling of a South Korean island, U.S. envoy on North Korea Stephen Bosworth said in Beijing on Wednesday (November 24).
    "We call on all members of the international community to condemn the DPRK's act and we call upon the DPRK to cease all provocations and implement denuclearisation," Bosworth said, reading from a statement in his hotel lobby.
    His comments came after North Korean shells hit the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong, near a disputed maritime border, on Tuesday (November 23).
    "The U.S. remains firmly committed to the defence of the Republic of Korea and to the maintenance of peace and stability in northeast Asia. Thank you very much," he said.
    In Japan, markets dropped nearly two percent at one point as North Korea's shelling rattled investors and sparked concerns for the regional and even global economy.
    Market players said Tokyo shares were due for a pull-back after having climbed this month on the back of solid corporate earnings, as well as short-covering and year-end portfolio tweaking by overseas investors.
    Japanese financial markets were closed on Tuesday for a national holiday but other major stock indexes fell as investors sought safety after the exchange of fire on the Korean peninsula.
    The Nikkei fell by more than 2 percent from Monday's close at one point, but later trimmed its losses to stand at 10,010.10 down 1 percent, having edged back up above its 200-day moving average near 9,915.
    Fearing global economic repercussions Japanese economic minister said the government may strengthen sanctions on North Korea.
    "I think the government may move towards strengthening sanctions on North Korea," said Japanese Economics Minister Banri Kaieda Wednesday at a news conference after a cabinet meeting.
    "Asia is becoming an engine for the global economy. So North Korea's problem can be counted as a risk for the world," he added.
    He also said that stock falls stemming from North Korea's attacks could have an impact on Japan's economy.
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