South Korea urges China to sway North Korea

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South Korean foreign minister Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday urged China to try to persuade North Korea not to test-fire a missile, and he also discussed stalled nuclear negotiations with Pyongyang on his visit to Beijing. U.S. officials say there is evidence North Korea may have finished fuelling a Taepodong-2 missile for a test launch, which Washington, Seoul and Tokyo have said would present a grave threat to regional security.

Ban met his Chinese counterpart, Li Zhaoxing, who said efforts must focus on making sure North Korea does not launch the missile and that it returns to six-party talks aimed at dismantling its nuclear programmes. Li said China had expressed its concern to the North about the missile launch, South Korean foreign ministry official Lee Hyuk told reporters. A traditional Communist ally of North Korea and host to the six-party talks, China is seen as having special leverage over the North, especially as the provider of about 70% of its oil.