Obama, China's Hu discuss situation on the Korean Peninsula

Obama, China's Hu discuss situation on the Korean Peninsula

2010-12-06 15:40:59 GMT+7 (ICT)

WASHINGTON, D.C./BEIJING (BNO NEWS) -- U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday discussed the tense situation on the Korean Peninsula, officials said.

Tensions between North Korea and South Korea have escalated after the North fired nearly 200 artillery shells at the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong on November 23.

The sudden attack, which the North said was a response to a drill by South Korea, killed four South Koreans and wounded 16 others. South Korea quickly responded with its own artillery fire, killing an unknown number of South Koreans and injuring others.

Obama called Hu on Monday to discuss the situation. "The two Presidents discussed our common interest in peace and stability in Northeast Asia and the priority of ensuring the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," a White House statement said, adding that both leaders agreed on the importance to working together toward these shared goals.

Obama emphasized the need for North Korea to halt its 'provocative behavior' and to meet its international obligations, including its commitments in the 2005 Six Party Joint Declaration.

"The President condemned the North Korean shelling of a South Korean island on November 23 and its pursuit of a uranium enrichment program in defiance of its obligations," the White House added. "He urged China to work with us and others to send a clear message to North Korea that its provocations are unacceptable."

According to the state-run Xinhua news agency, Hu called for calm and a 'rational response' from all sides to prevent the deterioration of the fragile security situation on the Korean Peninsula.

"Hu said China is greatly concerned about the current tension on the peninsula, and deeply regrets the loss of lives and properties in the exchange of artillery fire between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and South Korea late last month," Xinhua said.

Hu further said that - if the situation is not properly handled - it could lead to further escalation of tensions or could even run out of control. This would not be in the common interest of all parties concerned, Hu added.

The leaders also briefly raised the situation in Iran. "[Obama] stressed the importance of P5+1 unity in order to address Iran's nuclear program," the White House said.

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