Summary
26 May 2010
The US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, has called on North Korea to drop its "provocations and policy of threats". Mrs Clinton is in the South Korean capital Seoul, the latest stop on a tour of Asia so dominated by the rising tensions on the Korean peninsular.
Reporter:
John Sudworth
US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, with South Korean Foreign Minister, Yu Myung-Hwan
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Report
With North Korea accused of attacking a South Korean warship with a torpedo, resulting in the loss of 46 lives, Mrs Clinton said the investigation had been "objective, the evidence overwhelming and the conclusion inescapable. The international community has a duty to respond."
But beyond a show of solidarity with the South, and condemnation of the North, her speech here in Seoul gave little away about what that response would be.
As a permanent member, China is key to any effort to get the United Nations Security Council to take action against North Korea, and so far in public, Chinese officials are treading a cautious line, suggesting dialogue is better than confrontation.
Beijing is concerned that pushing its old ally too hard will lead to a dangerous escalation. There are hints of that already. North Korea has reacted angrily to a set of trade and shipping sanctions announced by the South, saying it will match the measures with its own, and sever the few remaining lines of communication between the two governments.
Mrs Clinton said she believes that the Chinese understand the seriousness of the issue and are willing to listen. She has left Seoul already, en route for Washington, but the diplomatic negotiations are far from over. The Chinese premier, Wen Jiabao, is due to meet the South Korean president on Friday, before both men sit down with the Japanese prime minister for a three-way summit over the weekend.
John Sudworth, 大象传媒 News, Seoul
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Vocabulary
- a torpedo
an explosive weapon that travels underwater and is used to attack ships
- the conclusion inescapable
based on the evidence there is no doubt about what happened
- a show of solidarity with
a public statement of support for
- condemnation of
expressing criticism and disapproval of
- gave little away about
did not give much information about
- is key to
is the most important factor in
- treading a cautious line
being very careful and trying not to make the situation worse
- ally
political or military supporter
- a dangerous escalation
an increase in the pressure and tension of the situation which could make the possibility of military action higher
- sever the few remaining lines of communication
cut the official and unofficial ways politicians and diplomats in the two countries talk to each other
