Call to ease situation on Korean Peninsula

UNITED NATIONS: A Chinese envoy called on the United Nations Security Council members to do more things that are conducive to easing the situation on the Korean Peninsula, media reported.

Liu Jieyi, China’s permanent representative to the UN, made the appeal on Friday ahead of a UNSC meeting on North Korea, saying that “China opposes the aberrations by the UN Security Council to discuss North Korea’s human rights situation”, Xinhua news agency reported.

“We do not allow the Peninsula to be torn by turmoil or war under any circumstances,” Liu said, noting that the council’s discussion on North Korea’s human rights issue goes contrary to this goal and it’s detrimental with no benefit what-so-ever.

Warning that the current situation on the Korean Peninsula was complex, sensitive and dire, Liu said China hopes council members and other parties concerned can “meet each other halfway and do more things that are conducive to easing the situation on the Peninsula and avoid making any rhetoric or actions that may provoke or lead to the escalation of the tensions”.