France, Russia urge N Korean restraint

France, Russia urge  N Korean restraint
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Highlights

Paris/Moscow (Agencies): France has appealed to North Korea for avoiding such steps that may escalate the tension after Pyongyang announced having...

fra2 Paris/Moscow (Agencies): France has appealed to North Korea for avoiding such steps that may escalate the tension after Pyongyang announced having entered a "state of war". "France is deeply concerned by the situation in the Korean peninsula" and urging North Korea to refrain from "further provocation", Xinhua quoted Philippe Lalliot, French spokesperson for foreign Affairs, as saying on Saturday. It has asked North Korea "to fulfil its international obligations," to solve the issue "within the framework of UN relevant resolutions" and "quickly resume the path of dialogue". In a statement, Pyongyang on Saturday declared having entered a "state of war" with South Korea. All matters between two Koreas would be handled according to wartime condition, North Korea said, adding that the long-standing condition of Korean peninsula of being neither peace nor war was finally over. Moscow has also called for restraint on the Korean Peninsula after North Korea reportedly declared a "state of war" with South Korea. Moscow "is against any statements and steps leading to the escalation of tensions and expects all the sides to exercise maximum restraint and responsibility for the fate of the Korean Peninsula," Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.A North and South Korea are not technically "at peace" since no peace treaty was signed following the Korean War in 1953.
US ready for any threat
The US has said it is in close touch with South Korea and is prepared for any possible threat from North Korea, amid escalating tension in the Korean peninsula after declaration of "state of war" by Pyongyang. "We've seen reports of a new and unconstructive statement from North Korea. We take these threats seriously and remain in close contact with our South Korean Allies," said Caitlin Hayden, spokesperson of the National Security Council.A "But, we would also note that North Korea has a long history of bellicose rhetoric and threats and today's announcement follows that familiar pattern," she said.
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