WASHINGTON, May 1 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urged North Korea to meet its disarmament commitment after meeting Tuesday with Japanese Cabinet members.
Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates talked to their Japanese counterparts, Foreign Minister Taro Aso and Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma. The discussions included North Korea, Iran and realigning the military alliance between Japan and the United States.
"We don't have endless patience," Rice said. "We do recognize that North Korea has continued to publicly affirm its obligation under the Feb. 13 agreement, and to affirm its intention to carry through. We expect them to do so."
North Korea agreed to shut down its Yongbyon reactor within 60 days after the signing of the agreement. North Korean officials blame lack of money, saying its assets in a Chinese bank are still frozen.
