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China pressures N Korean leader China pressures N Korean leader
(about 1 hour later)
A Chinese envoy has met North Korea's reclusive leader Kim Jong-il as tensions mount over the North's nuclear test, according to Chinese officials.A Chinese envoy has met North Korea's reclusive leader Kim Jong-il as tensions mount over the North's nuclear test, according to Chinese officials.
The envoy, former Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan, was believed to be carrying a message from China's President Hu Jintao calling for restraint.The envoy, former Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan, was believed to be carrying a message from China's President Hu Jintao calling for restraint.
The meeting came as a North Korean official hinted at another test.The meeting came as a North Korean official hinted at another test.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice warned of "further measures" if the North tested again.US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice warned of "further measures" if the North tested again.
Ms Rice is in South Korea on the second leg of an Asian tour to rally opposition to North Korea's nuclear testing. Her trip will also take in China. China's Foreign Ministry warned on Thursday against "wilfully" expanding UN sanctions against North Korea.
Her trip follows a UN Security Council vote backing sanctions in response to North Korea's 9 October test.
N KOREA NUCLEAR PROGRAMME Believed to have 'handful' of nuclear weaponsBut not thought to have any small enough to put in a missileCould try dropping from plane, though world watching closely Q&A: Nuclear crisis N Korea's mercurial leaderN KOREA NUCLEAR PROGRAMME Believed to have 'handful' of nuclear weaponsBut not thought to have any small enough to put in a missileCould try dropping from plane, though world watching closely Q&A: Nuclear crisis N Korea's mercurial leader
Correspondents say Ms Rice will face a more wary reception in the South, which favours engagement with its neighbour. "Sanctions are a signal, not a goal," spokesman Liu Jianchao told a news conference.
Ms Rice is in South Korea on the second leg of an Asian tour to rally opposition to North Korea's nuclear testing. Her trip will also take her to China.
It follows a UN Security Council vote backing sanctions in response to North Korea's 9 October test.
A North Korean official gave the country's first indication it may be preparing a second nuclear test.A North Korean official gave the country's first indication it may be preparing a second nuclear test.
The deputy head of North Korea's foreign ministry, Li Gun, speaking on ABC TV in the US, said a second test would be "natural" and that the US should not be surprised if one were carried out.The deputy head of North Korea's foreign ministry, Li Gun, speaking on ABC TV in the US, said a second test would be "natural" and that the US should not be surprised if one were carried out.
President George W Bush warned North Korea it would face "grave consequences" if it tried to transfer nuclear weapons to third parties such as Iran or al-Qaeda. President George W Bush said North Korea would face "grave consequences" if it tried to transfer nuclear weapons to third parties such as Iran or al-Qaeda.
Cargo inspections 'Wary reception'
Ms Rice first met Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo. The BBC's Charles Scanlon in Seoul says Ms Rice can expect a wary reception from the South, which is pushing for a less confrontational approach and still favours a policy of reconciliation and economic engagement.
NEW UN SANCTIONS Bans sale to, or export from, N Korea of military hardwareBans sale or export of nuclear and missile related itemsBans sale of luxury goodsFreezes finances and bans travel of anyone involved in nuclear, missile programmesAllows inspection of cargo to and from N KoreaStresses new resolution needed for further action Who stands where Discord over ship searches
A US diplomat said Ms Rice will again press the South on the US-led Proliferation Security Initiative which was set up in 2003 to inspect ships suspected of carrying materials that could be used for weapons of mass destruction.
South Korean Yonhap news agency said Seoul was preparing to bolster the inspection of cargo heading to the North and to block subsidies to a joint tourism project there.
The South has been reluctant to join for fear of sparking conflict with the North.
Ms Rice began her Asian tour in Japan on Wednesday, meeting Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo.
Amid concern in Washington that the crisis could encourage other Asian nations to develop their own nuclear weapons programmes, Ms Rice stressed that the US was ready to act on its defence commitments to Japan.Amid concern in Washington that the crisis could encourage other Asian nations to develop their own nuclear weapons programmes, Ms Rice stressed that the US was ready to act on its defence commitments to Japan.
Japan's Foreign Minister Taro Aso said Tokyo was "absolutely not considering a need to be armed by nuclear weapons".Japan's Foreign Minister Taro Aso said Tokyo was "absolutely not considering a need to be armed by nuclear weapons".
Japan's Kyodo news agency said the US and Japan had agreed to examine the role of the military in searching North Korean cargo ships.Japan's Kyodo news agency said the US and Japan had agreed to examine the role of the military in searching North Korean cargo ships.
Ms Rice and Mr Aso later flew on to Seoul to rally support for the full implementation of sanctions in line with the UN resolution.
NEW UN SANCTIONS Bans sale to, or export from, N Korea of military hardwareBans sale or export of nuclear and missile related itemsBans sale of luxury goodsFreezes finances and bans travel of anyone involved in nuclear, missile programmesAllows inspection of cargo to and from N KoreaStresses new resolution needed for further action Who stands where Discord over ship searches
But the BBC's Charles Scanlon in Seoul says Ms Rice can expect a wary reception from the South, which is pushing for a less confrontational approach and still favours a policy of reconciliation and economic engagement.
However, the South Korean Yonhap news agency said Seoul was preparing to bolster the inspection of cargo heading to the North and to block subsidies to a joint tourism project there.
A US diplomat said Ms Rice would again press the South on the US-led Proliferation Security Initiative which was set up in 2003 to inspect ships suspected of carrying materials that could be used for weapons of mass destruction.
The South has been reluctant to join for fear of sparking conflict with the North.