`NK Missile Threat Rattles NE Asian Stability`

South Korea and China yesterday agreed that North Korea’s long-range rocket negatively affects peace and stability in Northeast Asia, and that if Pyongyang launches the rocket, the countries concerned need discussion.

President Lee Myung-bak`s spokesman Lee Dong-kwan said President Lee and Chinese President Hu Jintao agreed on this in their 40-minute summit at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in London yesterday morning.

President Lee said, “North Korea’s rocket launch is a clear violation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1718 on North Korea.” He also stressed that the international community need to show a strong resolve by referring the case to the council.

Hu agreed that the North`s rocket launch will negatively impact stability in Northeast Asia, but was more cautious about bringing the case to the council, a move the U.S. and Japan are pushing for.

The two leaders agreed that the complete and verifiable dismantlement of the North`s nuclear programs should proceed as soon as possible, and that they will closely cooperate to reach this goal.

Saying the upgrade of Korean-Sino relations to a strategic cooperative partnership last year has progressed smoothly, Presidents Lee and Hu agreed to further consolidate bilateral ties by implementing cooperation projects.

They also spoke highly of the progress made at the G20 financial summit Thursday, including collaboration in macroeconomic policy such as the expansion of fiscal spending; prevention of trade protectionism; reinforcement of international financial regulations; and disposal of distressed financial assets.

yongari@donga.com