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Joe Biden in Seoul amid Asia tensions Joe Biden in Seoul amid Asia tensions
(35 minutes later)
US Vice-President Joe Biden is meeting South Korean leader Park Geun-hye on the third leg of an Asian tour dominated by tensions over China's newly-declared air defence zone.US Vice-President Joe Biden is meeting South Korean leader Park Geun-hye on the third leg of an Asian tour dominated by tensions over China's newly-declared air defence zone.
Ms Park will brief Mr Biden on South Korea's possible proposal to expand its own zone, South Korean media said, a move the US is expected to oppose.Ms Park will brief Mr Biden on South Korea's possible proposal to expand its own zone, South Korean media said, a move the US is expected to oppose.
China's zone covers islands controlled by Japan and an area claimed by Seoul.China's zone covers islands controlled by Japan and an area claimed by Seoul.
Mr Biden said on Thursday China's move had caused "apprehension" across Asia.Mr Biden said on Thursday China's move had caused "apprehension" across Asia.
The issue of North Korea is also expected to be high on the agenda.The issue of North Korea is also expected to be high on the agenda.
Recent reports suggesting Kim Jong-un's uncle - a powerful leadership figure - has been removed from his official positions, as well as ways of restarting long-stalled nuclear disarmament talks, are likely to be discussed.Recent reports suggesting Kim Jong-un's uncle - a powerful leadership figure - has been removed from his official positions, as well as ways of restarting long-stalled nuclear disarmament talks, are likely to be discussed.
As the meeting with Ms Park began, Mr Biden emphasised the US commitment to a strategic shift to the region.
"I want to make one thing absolutely clear: President Obama's decision to rebalance to the Pacific basin is not in question," he said. "The United States never says anything it does not do."
'Do not accept''Do not accept'
Mr Biden arrived in Seoul on Thursday from Beijing, where he held what he described as "very direct" talks with President Xi Jinping on the new air defence identification zone (ADIZ).Mr Biden arrived in Seoul on Thursday from Beijing, where he held what he described as "very direct" talks with President Xi Jinping on the new air defence identification zone (ADIZ).
The White House has also described the establishment of the ADIZ as "unacceptable", but has urged Beijing not to implement it - rather than calling for it to roll back its move.The White House has also described the establishment of the ADIZ as "unacceptable", but has urged Beijing not to implement it - rather than calling for it to roll back its move.
"We, the United States, do not recognise and we do not accept it, and will not change the way the United States conducts military operations in the region," White House spokesman Jay Carney said on Thursday."We, the United States, do not recognise and we do not accept it, and will not change the way the United States conducts military operations in the region," White House spokesman Jay Carney said on Thursday.
The zone covers East China Sea islands that Japan, China and Taiwan claim. The islands, which are controlled by Japan, are called Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China.The zone covers East China Sea islands that Japan, China and Taiwan claim. The islands, which are controlled by Japan, are called Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China.
The ADIZ also covers a submerged rock that South Korea says forms part of its territory. China wants all aircraft flying in the ADIZ to follow certain rules, including filing flight plans.The ADIZ also covers a submerged rock that South Korea says forms part of its territory. China wants all aircraft flying in the ADIZ to follow certain rules, including filing flight plans.
South Korean reports have suggested that Seoul is considering expanding its own ADIZ in response, a move that could hit efforts to reduce tensions.South Korean reports have suggested that Seoul is considering expanding its own ADIZ in response, a move that could hit efforts to reduce tensions.
On North Korea, the two are likely to discuss recent - unconfirmed - reports from South Korea's spy agency that North Korea's Chang Song-taek has fallen from grace.On North Korea, the two are likely to discuss recent - unconfirmed - reports from South Korea's spy agency that North Korea's Chang Song-taek has fallen from grace.
Mr Chang, who is married to late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's sister, had been seen by some observers as a power behind the throne figure in the administration of his young nephew, Kim Jong-un.Mr Chang, who is married to late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's sister, had been seen by some observers as a power behind the throne figure in the administration of his young nephew, Kim Jong-un.
Concerns over Pyongyang's nuclear programme are also rumbling. On Thursday a US-based think-tank said satellite images showed increased activity at North Korea's once-mothballed Yongbyon nuclear reactor.Concerns over Pyongyang's nuclear programme are also rumbling. On Thursday a US-based think-tank said satellite images showed increased activity at North Korea's once-mothballed Yongbyon nuclear reactor.
Plutonium for North Korea's nuclear tests is thought to have come from the reactor, which was shut down as part of an aid-for-disarmament deal but reactivated as North Korea's ties with regional neighbours and the US deteriorated.Plutonium for North Korea's nuclear tests is thought to have come from the reactor, which was shut down as part of an aid-for-disarmament deal but reactivated as North Korea's ties with regional neighbours and the US deteriorated.
After holding talks with Ms Park, Mr Biden will on Saturday visit the demilitarised zone which divides the two Koreas.After holding talks with Ms Park, Mr Biden will on Saturday visit the demilitarised zone which divides the two Koreas.