Korean and Chinese nuclear envoys talk by phone

According to South Korea’s Foreign Ministry, participating in the call were South Korea’s special envoy for Korean Peninsula peace and security, Mr. Noh Kyu-duk, and his Chinese counterpart Liu Xiaoming. The two sides agreed to continue working together to “stable management” of the security situation on the Korean Peninsula, including preventing the situation from worsening.

In particular, Mr. Noh asked China to play a constructive role, saying that the international community should have a synchronized response to urge North Korea to immediately stop escalating tensions and return to the path of dialogue. and diplomatic solutions.

On March 24, North Korea test-fired the Hwasongpho-17, a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The North’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the missile, launched from Pyongyang International Airport, reached a maximum altitude of 6,248.5 kilometers and flew a distance of 1,090 kilometers in 4,052 seconds before hitting its target. on the sea.

This is the first time since 2017 that North Korea has conducted a complete ICBM test and is the 12th weapons test conducted by Pyongyang this year.