Clinton urges DPRK to denuclearize on inaugural Asian tour

Source: Xinhua | 02-17-2009 17:13

TOKYO, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- Visiting U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday stressed the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s nuclear issue of great concern and urged Pyongyang to denuclearize.

"One of the challenges we inherited is the North Koreans has obtained the capacity to make nuclear weapons, we would not let that occur... Our goal remains the same, a denuclearized North," she said during the press conference at start of her Asia tour in Tokyo.

"Let me underscore the commitment the United States has to the denuclearization of North Korea (DPRK) and to the prevention of further proliferation. This is a matter of great concern,"

"In his inauguration speech, President Obama has made it clear that United States will reach out a hand to those whom we have differences with, as long as they unclinch their fist. But the decision as to whether North Korea will cooperate in the six-party talks and take proactive actions is up to them. We are watching closely," she said.

"If North Korea abides by all the obligations it has already entered into, verifiably and completely eliminate its nuclear program, then there will be reciprocal response certainly from the United States, a chance to normalize relations, and to enter into peace treaty." she added.

Earlier, the official Korean Central News Agency cited an government spokesman as saying that the United States was to blame for the tension on the Korean peninsula and would provoke punishing action from the DPRK.

U.S. moves to set up a "combined air-force command" with South Korea and refresh its military operation plan against the DPRK "fully represent the scheme of U.S. war hawks to stifle the DPRK militarily and permanently occupy South Korea," a spokesman for the Korean National Peace Committee said.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei