US military chief criticises China over North Korea
Thursday, 9 December 2010
SEOUL, Dec 8 (AP): After South Korea was spooked Wednesday morning by reports of artillery fire in the North, the two most senior military leaders from Washington and Seoul met to discuss possible responses to future provocations by the North, with the American commander lashing out at China for failing to intervene with Pyongyang diplomatically.
Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff, sharply criticized Beijing for not condemning North Korea's artillery barrage against a South Korean island two weeks ago. Two marines and two civilians were killed in the attack.
"China has enormous influence over the North, and therefore they have a unique responsibility," Admiral Mullen said at a press briefing Wednesday afternoon. "Now is the time for Beijing to step up to that responsibility and guide the North, and indeed the whole region, to a better future."
China has criticized the response by Washington and Seoul - joint war games in the Yellow Sea led by an American aircraft carrier battle group - rather than the North's use of military force against civilians.
The chairman of South Korea's Joint Chiefs, Gen. Han Min-koo, on Wednesday called the attack "an intolerable act against humanity."
Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff, sharply criticized Beijing for not condemning North Korea's artillery barrage against a South Korean island two weeks ago. Two marines and two civilians were killed in the attack.
"China has enormous influence over the North, and therefore they have a unique responsibility," Admiral Mullen said at a press briefing Wednesday afternoon. "Now is the time for Beijing to step up to that responsibility and guide the North, and indeed the whole region, to a better future."
China has criticized the response by Washington and Seoul - joint war games in the Yellow Sea led by an American aircraft carrier battle group - rather than the North's use of military force against civilians.
The chairman of South Korea's Joint Chiefs, Gen. Han Min-koo, on Wednesday called the attack "an intolerable act against humanity."