Resurfacing of North Korea tensions regrettable after two months of calm: China's foreign minister

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that China has an open attitude on solutions to the North Korean nuclear issue, but that parties should be consultative. PHOTO: EPA-EFE

BEIJING (REUTERS) - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday (Dec 4) that after two months of relative calm on the Korean peninsula, the resurfacing of tensions was regrettable.

Mr Wang, speaking to reporters at a joint briefing with his Mongolian counterpart, said that China has an open attitude on solutions to the North Korean nuclear issue, but that parties should be consultative.

In late November, North Korea tested its most advanced intercontinental ballistic missile yet, putting the continental United States within range and increasing pressure on US President Donald Trump to deal with the nuclear-armed nation.

North Korea's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Country called Mr Trump "insane" on Sunday and said air drills between the United States and the South would "push the already acute situation on the Korean peninsula to the brink of nuclear war".

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