U.S. Secretary of State says to seek new approach to Korean Peninsula nuclear issue

Visiting U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Thursday called for a new approach to the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue. (Photo: Rex Tillerson Secretary/ Facebook)

TOKYO— Visiting U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Thursday called for a new approach to the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

Tillerson made the call at a joint press conference with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida here in Tokyo.

He said diplomatic and other efforts of the past 20 years to realize the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsular “have failed,” adding that a different approach is required.

He said his visit to Asia partly aims to exchange views on such a new approach and that he will have further discussions with Seoul and Beijing after his talks in Tokyo.

Kishida, for his part, said Japan and the United States agreed that Japan, the United States and South Korea shall work together to request the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea abide by the UN Security Council resolutions and refrain from provocative actions.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying, at a regular press briefing in Beijing on Thursday, said China welcomes all parties including the United States to put forward their proposals regarding the settlement of the Korean Peninsula issue.

Hua made the remarks in response to questions concerning the peninsula nuclear issue. Hua said China has repeatedly expressed concern over the escalation of the current tensions on the peninsula and has put forward its own proposal on resolving the issue.

Hua said China’s proposal targets at the crux of the current situation on the peninsula, accommodates reasonable concerns of all relevant sides and dovetails relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

Tillerson is in Tokyo on his first visit to Asia since taking office last month. He will also visit South Korea and China later this week.