Abe, Trump exchange views on Korean Peninsula situation over phone
Xinhua, April 24, 2017 Adjust font size:
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and U.S. President Donald Trump held a telephone conversation Monday morning, exchanging views about heightened tension on the Korean Peninsula, Kyodo News reported.
Abe told a press briefing after speaking with Trump that they "had completely agreed to strongly seek self-restraint" from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), which is "continuing its dangerously provocative acts."
Speculations are high on whether Pyongyang could conduct another nuclear or missile test around April 25. Tensions are running high since Washingotn threatened to take military actions and Pyongyang vowed to hit back if provoked.
Trump's position on the issue that all options, including military action, are "on the table" in dealing with the DPRK issue, was supported by Abe.
On Sunday, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force and U.S. Navy began joint drills involving two Japanese destroyers and the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, which is heading for waters off the Korean Peninsula, Kyodo News reported. Endi