VLADIVOSTOK, Russia, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of Japan and South Korea on Thursday reiterated their appeal on strengthening sanctions on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) for its aggressive nuclear program, as they met on a economic forum held here.
"The DPRK is becoming an unprecedentedly grave and imminent threat...It is escalating challenges to peace and prosperity to the northeast Asia and the entire world," Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on the plenary session of the Third Eastern Economic Forum (EEF).
Abe said it is necessary to make the DPRK immediately and fully comply with all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programs "in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner."
Echoing Abe's appeal, South Korea President Moon Jae-in also voiced the desire of keeping the pressure of sanctions on the DPRK.
"I thank Russia for its active participation in regards to sanctions against the DPRK and I hope Russia will continue its support on this matter," he said.
During a phone conversation with his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump late Wednesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping said China has been adamant in preserving international nuclear non-proliferation regime, maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula, and resolving the nuclear issue through talks.
The general direction should head toward a peaceful settlement of the issue, Xi said, adding that dialogue combined with a set of comprehensive measures is best for seeking a long-term solution.
The DPRK on Sunday successfully detonated a hydrogen bomb capable of being carried by an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which was the sixth nuclear test by the country so far, further worsening the hair-trigger confrontation on the Korean Peninsula.
Differing with the Japanese and South Korean leaders, Russian President Vladimir Putin said whipping up hostility would not settle the Korean Peninsula issue, as the DPRK will not be frightened and give up on its nuclear program.
Instead, Russia prefers to involve the DPRK into the regional cooperation in a bid to ease the tension around the Korean Peninsula, and has already offered specific proposals which include building a joint railway connecting Russia and the Korean Peninsula through the DPRK and the development of pipeline transport, Putin said.
On Wednesday, Putin called for a "step-by-step settlement", saying it is pointless to push the DPRK into a corner as sanctions and pressure could be counterproductive.
"Now more than ever, everyone needs to be calm and avoid steps that lead to an escalation of tension," he said.
