South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ban Ki-moon has called on China to persuade North Korea not to test-fire a long-range missile. South Korean officials say Ban made the request in a meeting Tuesday in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart, Li Zhaoxing. The talks were centered on North Korea's suspected preparations to test-fire a long-range missile.
Recent satellite images show North Korea fueling a long-range missile. China's response was less specific, with the Foreign Ministry calling on all sides to avoid confrontation and resume the six-party talks aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear program.
China had previously told Pyongyang that any launch would be seen as provocative. In Washington Monday, President Bush called on North Korea to explain the satellite images.