Denuclearization of Korean peninsula urged

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, July 27 (UPI) -- Foreign ministers of the Association of South East Asian Nations, meeting in Malaysia, say denuclearization of the Korean peninsula is essential for peace.

In a statement calling for the resumption of six-party talks on the North

Korean nuclear crisis, the ministers urged dialogue among the parties to resolve the issue, reports Channel News Asia.

The foreign ministers of China, Japan, South Korea, which are part of the six-party group, met with their ASEAN counterparts behind closed doors, the report said.

Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo said, "As ASEAN, we welcome their presence in Kuala Lumpur and we hope they will avail themselves to the facilities that the Malaysian host can offer to talk and to find a way to move forward."

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is expected to join the talks Friday.