This undated Department of Defense photo shows a sign in the Demarcation Line (MDL) separating North and South Korea. On Monday, May 25, 2009 North Korea allegedly detonated a nuclear device during an underground test and test fired several short range missile. North Korea announced that it has restarted its nuclear weapons research program. (UPI Photo/Scott Stewart/USAF) |
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SEOUL, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- North Korea's uranium enrichment program is inconsistent with U.N. Security Council resolutions and its own commitments, a top U.S. official said Wednesday.
Speaking in Seoul where he stopped on the first leg of an Asian tour, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg urged the Communist country to take note of the "clear message" in last week's summit between U.S. President Barack Obama and visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao, Yonhap news agency reported.
"It's very important that the international community send a strong message that the uranium enrichment program, indeed any uranium enrichment program by North Korea, would be inconsistent with its international obligations, with Security Council resolutions and with its own commitments," Steinberg said after meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan.
The uranium enrichment program made known last November has raised concerns as it could be used to make more atomic weapons. The North is already under sanctions for conducting nuclear tests.
Obama and Hu "expressed concern" about the program, seen as important as China is the North's closest friend.
"I think the strong position that we've all taken and I think the clear message coming out of the summit between President Obama and President Hu should help drive that message home," Steinberg said.
Steinberg's Asia trip, which will also take him to China and Japan, comes as the situation on the Korean Peninsula remains tense because of the North's recent provocations and the six-nation talks on the North's denuclearization remain stalled.
