China: Korea Tensions May ‘Spin Out of Control’

Tensions at highest level in decades

Video

Korea tensions put Beijing in a bind (NBC Nightly News, Nov. 29, 2010) — China’s friendship with North Korea has lasted sixty years, but it’s now put Beijing in a diplomatic bind. NBC’s Adrienne Mong has more from the Chinese capital. (02:19)

Reuters and The Associated Press via MSNBC.com
December 6, 2010

BEIJING — China is worried tensions in the Korean peninsula could spiral out of control if not dealt with properly, President Hu Jintao told U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday in their first discussion of the situation since North Korea shelled the South nearly two weeks ago.

The White House said Obama, in a telephone call with Hu, urged Beijing to work with the United States and others to “send a clear message to North Korea that its provocations are unacceptable.” …

At a news conference with her Japanese and South Korean counterparts, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said the three agree that there should be no direct talks with North Korea until it changes course. …

Tensions have risen to their highest level in decades on the peninsula after the Yeonpyeong attack, which came days after the North revealed it had made significant advances in its nuclear program. …

South Korea has sharply increased its rhetoric over the past week, prompted by public opinion polls critical of the conservative government’s perceived weak response to the attack. Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin has said the South will respond with bombs and air power if attacked again. …

Full story

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