Foreign and Military Affairs

China warns possible Korea clash could hurt region

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-12-18 16:44

China warned on Saturday that a possible fresh clash between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) could shake regional stability and it urged both governments to avoid moves that it said would stoke tensions.

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The DPRK military urged the Republic of Korea (ROK) to immediately stop its plans for a shelling exercise around Yonphyong Island. The notice warned that if the ROK persisted in its plan to hold the exercise, the DPRK would deliver a second and third "unpredicted self-defense counterattack" that would be bigger and more powerful than the previous one to defend its territorial waters.

The statement from Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said "The situation on the Korean peninsula is now particularly complex and sensitive, and China is highly concerned."

"If a bloody clash breaks out on the peninsula, the first to suffer will be the people on both sides of the peninsula, and it would also certainly wreck regional peace and stability, harming surrounding countries."

Jiang renewed China's call for talks to defuse the confrontation between Seoul and Pyongyang.

"China resolutely opposes, without the least ambiguity, any actions that could lead to a deterioration and escalation in the situation and wreck regional peace and stability."

ROK to hold firing drills

ROK's Joint Chiefs of Staff said Saturday that marines would go ahead with the drills as scheduled and that the military was ready to respond to any possible provocation.

"We have a right to conduct our own military drills," a Joint Chiefs of Staff officer said.

The artillery drills, however, were not expected to be held over the weekend because of bad weather and will be conducted either Monday or Tuesday, the officer said on condition of anonymity, citing office rules.

China warns possible Korea clash could hurt region

ROK soldiers patrol along the fence near the demilitarised zone separating the two Koreas in Paju, north of Seoul, December 18, 2010. [Photo/Agencies]