Russia summons US, S Korea envoys

South Korean marines patrol Yeonpyeong Island on Friday, December 17

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/155903.html


Russia has reportedly summoned the South Korean and US envoys over a live-fire drill planned by Seoul amid mounting tensions with North Korea.

Russia pointed that a similar exercise overseen by a senior US commander provoked North Korea to retaliate by shelling Yeonpyeong Island last month.

“We strongly call on South Korea to refrain from holding the planned artillery firing in order to prevent a further escalation of tensions on the Korean peninsula,” a Russian Foreign Ministry statement said.

The North Korean military threatened on Friday to strike back if South Korea goes ahead with the drill.

As a member-state of the six-party negotiations on the Korean peninsula crisis, Russia hosted the North Korean foreign minister last week in a bid to help find a way out of the escalating dispute.

The talks ended with Russia expressing “deep concern” over reports that Pyongyang was developing industrial uranium enrichment capabilities.

Moscow also called on both sides to show restraint after last month's shelling of the island.

South Korea's drills, which are planned to be held on Yeonpyeong Island from December 18, are the source of a warning, the North Korean KCNA reported on Friday.

“The strike will play out a more serious situation than on November 23 in terms of strength and scope of the strike,” KCNA said.

At least four South Koreans were killed after the South and North engaged in an artillery fire exchange near Yeonpyeong Island last month.

Pyongyang said the November 23 shelling of Yeonpyeong was a response to Seoul's previous live-fire exercises.

The announcement comes as the US and China are holding intensive talks to resolve the deadlock between the two neighbors.