Korean situation 'extremely precarious'

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun said Saturday that China is deeply worried about the situation on the Korean Peninsula, which is extremely precarious, highly complicated and sensitive.Zhang made the remarks in a statement on China's stance on the situation.He said China had repeatedly told the parties that if a blood were shed on the Korean Peninsula, the peoples on the two sides of the peninsula would be the first to suffer.Zhang said bloodshed and conflicts would lead to the national tragedy of fratricide among compatriots and brothers of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK), harm regional peace and stability, and affect neighboring countries.China had made unremitting efforts with the DPRK, the ROK and other parties through various channels, in a bid to avoid escalation of the situation, he said.

Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo made an urgent visit to the ROK from Nov. 27 to 28 and the DPRK from Dec. 8 to 9.

During his candid and thorough talks with leaders of the two countries, Dai had urged the two sides to maintain calm and restraint, conduct talks and engagement, and avoid from any activity which could worsen the situation, Zhang said.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry had urgently summoned DPRK and ROK ambassadors to China recently, and reiterated China's stance and proposals, Zhang said.

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Russia convenes urgent UN Security Council meeting on Koreas

The Russian delegation to the UN on Saturday summoned an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss the situation on the Korean Peninsula, the permanent mission of the Russian Federation to the UN said. "Upon an initiative of Russia an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council dedicated to the situation on the Korean Peninsula will be held today, a statement by the Russian permanent mission said.

The urgent meeting is set to be held in the second half of Saturday, New York time.

WASHINGTON, December 18 (RIA Novosti)