World leaders have urged a peaceful solution to the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue after Pyongyang's fresh nuke test escalated tensions.
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) detonated a hydrogen bomb capable of being carried by an intercontinental ballistic missile on Sunday which was its sixth and most powerful nuclear test.
While condemning Pyongyang for its provocative action, the international community has been pushing for a peaceful solution, instead of possible military intervention alleged by Washington.
DIALOGUE AND CONSULTATION
Chinese President Xi Jinping held phone conversations with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and U.S. President Donald Trump respectively this week over the nuclear test.
While talking with Merkel on Thursday, Xi said facts have repeatedly proven that an ultimate settlement of the nuclear issue could only be found through peaceful means, including dialogue and consultation.
Xi stressed that China remains persistent on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, adamant in preserving the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, and resolute in safeguarding peace and stability in Northeast Asia.
Merkel said Germany supports a peaceful solution to the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue through political means, and favors efforts to bring related parties back to the track of dialogue and negotiation.
She pledged to enhance communication and coordination with the Chinese side in a bid to find a solution as early as possible.
Meanwhile, the Chinese president on Wednesday insisted that the general direction should head toward a peaceful settlement of the issue while talking to his U.S. counterpart.
Dialogue combined with a set of comprehensive measures is best for seeking a long-term solution to the DPRK's nuclear issue, he added.
The White House is pressing for the toughest sanctions at the UN Security Council, as its UN envoy said Pyongyang was "begging for war."
Trump said Thursday while meeting with the visiting Kuwaiti amir that "military action would certainly be an option."
However, regional countries, which would suffer most if the nuclear crisis gets out of control, have called for easing tensions on the peninsula.
"Clearly, it is impossible to solve the Korean Peninsula issue by sanctions and pressure... There is no sense in giving in to emotions and pushing the DPRK into a corner," Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday at a press conference with his visiting South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in.
"Now more than ever, everyone needs to be calm and avoid steps that lead to an escalation of tension," Putin said.
Putin said Russia and China have come up with proposals on solving the issue under the framework of a joint "road map." Therefore, Moscow called upon all parties to take a closer look at the initiative which "offers a real way of reducing tensions and step-by-step settlement."
"Nuclear and missile tests are the wrong way, and the urgent task is to reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula," Moon said.
SPILLOVER EFFECTS
The nuclear test by Pyongyang violated UN Security Council resolutions, and also threatened peace and stability in the region and beyond.
Mexico on Thursday expelled the DPRK ambassador in protest over Pyongyang's latest nuclear test.
"Nuclear activity in North Korea (DPRK) is a grave risk for peace and international security and represents a growing threat for the region," the Mexican government said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the crisis has already spilled over to endanger regional countries. The deployment of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) in South Korea, alleged by Seoul to respond Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs, has substantially undermined regional strategic balance and harmed the security interests of regional countries like China and Russia.
THAAD deployment also triggered mass protests in South Korea, where people were calling for peace instead of hostility.
Hundreds of local residents and peace activists rallied in Soseong-ri village in Seongju county, South Korea's North Gyeongsang province, overnight Wednesday to protest against THAAD deployment at a former golf course in the village.
About 8,000 riot policemen were mobilized to disperse the protesters, which left almost 30 people injured, according to local media reports.
A university student who voluntarily joined the rally and made a speech at the site said the DPRK's nuclear threat cannot be protected by THAAD.
She expressed her wish to live in a peaceful country, stressing that peace cannot be achieved by a war weapon and warning THAAD would impede peace on the Korean Peninsula.
