Global Times (China): North Korea should not make mistakes

(Baonghean.vn) - North Korea should stop any plans related to missile and nuclear activities "for its own security", a Chinese newspaper said on April 12.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un gives guidance at the construction site of Ryomyong Road. This photo was released by KCNA news agency in Pyongyang on March 16. Photo: KCNA/Reuters

The paper warned that the US is making it clear that it has no plans to “coexist” with a nuclear-armed Pyongyang.

On April 11, North Korean state media also warned of the possibility of a nuclear strike on the United States if it showed any signs of aggression. The statement came amid the deployment of a US Navy strike group to the Western Pacific - a force that US President Donald Trump described as a "large fleet".

Trump, who has been pressing China to do more to rein in its ally and neighbor North Korea, said in a tweet that North Korea was “asking for trouble” and the US would “solve the problem” with or without Beijing’s help.

Since North Korea conducted its first nuclear test in 2006, the situation on the peninsula has never been so close to the threshold of “military conflict” as it is now, China's Global Times said in an editorial.

The newspaper, affiliated with the Communist Party's People's Daily, added: "The United States is determined to prevent North Korea from conducting further nuclear tests. It has no intention of living with a nuclear-armed Pyongyang. At this time, Pyongyang should avoid making mistakes."

The Global Times said Beijing would likely react strongly to any North Korean test: “If North Korea makes further provocations this month, Chinese society will be willing to see the UN Security Council impose unprecedentedly severe restrictions, such as limiting oil imports to North Korea.”

Beijing has accepted UN sanctions against North Korea, but has repeatedly called for a return to dialogue to resolve tensions.

A military parade is scheduled to take place in Pyongyang on April 15 to mark the 105th anniversary of the birth of Kim Il Sung, the founder of North Korea and grandfather of the current leader. North Korea often marks important anniversaries with nuclear or missile tests.

US officials have previously stressed that tougher sanctions are likely to be the US approach to forcing North Korea to abandon its nuclear programme, although Washington has insisted that all options - including military ones - are on the table.

Thu Giang

(According to Reuters)