TOKYO – Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a meeting on Sunday with North Korean counterpart Ri Yong-ho on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministerial meeting in Manila, media reported, citing diplomatic sources.
According to Yonhap news agency, the sides exchanged views regarding the development of the North Korean nuclear and missiles programs, as well as the latest UN Security Council resolution tightening sanctions against Pyongyang.
On Saturday, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted the resolution tightening the sanctions against Pyongyang over its nuclear and missile activity. The document implies prohibition of imports of coal, iron, iron ore, lead and seafood from the Asian nation by the UN member states.
Within the framework of the resolution, the UN members would not be available to open joint ventures or cooperative entities with North Korean entities or individuals, as well as not to increase the number of North Korean workers already engaged in the projects on the territories of the member states.
Also on Saturday, ASEAN foreign ministers gathered in Manila issued a statement expressing grave concern over rising tensions on the Korean peninsula stemming from long-range missile tests by North Korea that “seriously threaten” global peace and security.
Taking a stronger tone on Saturday than it has previously on the standoff, the ASEAN called for North Korea to comply with United Nations Security Council resolutions on its nuclear program, and make a positive contribution to regional peace, said a Reuters report.
In July, North Korea conducted two tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles in violation of previous UN Security Council resolutions. The latest launch was carried out on July 28.
According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the test was successful with the missile having reached the altitude of 3,725 kilometers (2,314 miles) and traveled 998 kilometers for about 47 minutes before falling in the Sea of Japan.
