Xinhua Asia-Pacific News Summary at 1600 GMT, March 6

SEOUL -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has showed willingness to hold talks with the United States about issues including the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and agreed on the third summit meeting with South Korea in late April, the Blue House of South Korea said Tuesday.

Chung Eui-yong, top national security adviser for South Korean President Moon Jae-in, told a televised press briefing that the DPRK side had expressed its willingness to talk candidly with the United States on the denuclearization issue and to normalize ties between Pyongyang and Washington. (South Korea-DPRK-U.S.-Denuclearization)

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COLOMBO -- Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Tuesday evening signed the official gazette notification declaring a week long nationwide state of emergency in the wake of violent clashes reported from several parts of the country.

Despite cabinet ministers earlier saying the state of emergency will be in effect for 10 days, a statement issued by the Presidential Media Division said the president has declared a state of limited emergency for a period of one week starting from March 6. (Sri Lanka-State of Emergency)

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SEOUL -- South Korean prosecutors summoned former President Lee Myung-bak for questioning over corruption charges, including bribery, local media reports said Tuesday.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office asked Lee to appear in their office on March 14 for grilling over the alleged corruptions, including bribery and abuse of power. (South Korea-Former President-Corruption)

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TOKYO -- Mount Shinmoe on the southwestern Japanese main island of Kyushu erupted violently on Tuesday, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said.

According to the JMA, Mt. Shinmoe, which straddles Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures, erupted at around 2:30 p.m. local time. (Japan-Mount Shinmoe-Eruption) Enditem