US, Japan, S. Korea discuss DPRK nuclear issue

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The 8th Asia Security Summit is now on in Singapore. Defense ministers of three participating countries - United States, Japan and South Korea, have gathered on the sidelines of the summit for trilateral talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

This is the first meeting of the three countries, since the DPRK announced its second nuclear test five days ago.

US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said his country's policy has not changed. Washington's goal is complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, and it will not accept the DPRK as a nuclear weapon state.

Robert Gates, US Secretary of Defense, said, "The transfer of nuclear weapons or material by North Korea for the consequences of such action."

The defense ministers of Japan and South Korea also stressed the significance of the trilateral meeting, saying that the three parties will further exchange views and enhance cooperation to solve the problem.

Lee Sang Hee, South Korea Defense Minister, said, "Our government will work to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue multilateral security cooperative body in northeast Asia."

The annual Asia Security Summit is being held in Singapore from Friday to Sunday.

Regional military leaders and security experts are discussing security issues, as well as defense cooperation.