CHINA/JAPAN: U.S. and Japan officials condemn North Korea's shelling of a South Korean island
Record ID:
465179
CHINA/JAPAN: U.S. and Japan officials condemn North Korea's shelling of a South Korean island
- Title: CHINA/JAPAN: U.S. and Japan officials condemn North Korea's shelling of a South Korean island
- Date: 25th November 2010
- Summary: TOKYO, JAPAN (NOVEMBER 24, 2010) (TV TOKYO - NO ACCESS JAPAN/CLEARED FOR INTERNET ACCESS/SEE ABOVE FOR FURTHER RESTRICTIONS) JAPANESE ECONOMIC MINISTER BANRI KAIEDA ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPANESE ECONOMIC MINISTER BANRI KAIEDA SAYING: "It's still something we need to look at as a whole but I think the government may move towards strengthening sanctions on North Korea." KAIEDA AT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPANESE ECONOMIC MINISTER BANRI KAIEDA ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE SAYING: "Asia is becoming an engine for the global economy. So North Korea's problem can be counted as a risk for the world." JAPANESE CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY YOSHITO SENGOKU WALKING IN TO CABINET MEETING JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER SEIJI MAEHARA WALKING IN TO A CABINET MEETING JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER NAOTO KAN ARRIVING FOR CABINET MEETING KAN SITTING BESIDE MAEHARA MINISTERS SEATED FOR PHOTO OPPORTUNITY BEFORE THE MEETING DEFENCE MINISTER TOSHIMI KITAZAWA MORE OF MINISTERS SEATED FOR PHOTO OPPORTUNITY KAN STANDING UP AND WALKING OUT OF CABINET MEETING
- Embargoed: 10th December 2010 12:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: War / Fighting,International Relations
- Reuters ID: LVA4OMCDGBJS1FVXPPGZIP5FSKYV
- 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. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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