US, China, S Korea urge nations to lock down nukes

The leaders of South Korea, the United States and China issued stark warnings Today about the threat of nuclear terrorism during the final day of a nuclear summit that has so far been upstaged by North Korea's long-range rocket launch plans.

Nearly 60 leaders have gathered for the two-day conference meant to find ways to keep terrorists from detonating an atomic weapon in a major city. The leaders were to release a communique Tuesday about their efforts to lock down the world's supply of nuclear material by 2014.

Much of the drama, however, has centered on North Korea's stated plans to launch a satellite on a long-range rocket around the April 15 celebration of the birthday of North Korean founder Kim Il Sung. Washington and Seoul view the launch as cover for nuclear missile development; North Korea says the satellite is part of a peaceful space program and will help in forecasting the weather.

President Barack Obama and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on Monday pressured China, Pyongyang's main ally and economic supporter, to use its leverage to persuade the North to back away from the launch.

Although North Korea wasn't mentioned in opening summit comments Tuesday by China, the U.S. and South Korea, the launch was still a major point of discussion in leaders' meetings on the sidelines. Lee and Italian Premier Mario Monti met Tuesday and urged North Korea to cancel its launch plans, Lee's office said.

Lee told Monti that North Korea would immediately receive aid from the South if it opens up like Vietnam and China have done, his office said.

In his opening comments, Chinese President Hu Jintao called for leaders to "commit to eliminating nuclear proliferation and the roots of nuclear terrorism."

Obama urged leaders to secure nuclear material to prevent terrorists from killing hundreds of thousands of people.

Lee said nuclear proliferation and terrorism "are becoming grave threats" to international peace. "There is no border in terrorism," he said.

North Korea's surprise announcement 11 days ago of a rocket launch came shortly after Pyongyang and Washington settled an aid-for-nuclear-freeze deal that had been seen as a breakthrough. Washington warns that the launch would jeopardize that deal.

The impoverished North has a history of angling for food, oil and other concessions in exchange for disarmament pledges and has previously created crises during diplomatic talks in what negotiators see as attempts to secure more aid.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda told leaders during the summit that the world is urging North Korea to cancel the launch, according to Japanese officials.

"North Korea's launch of a missile under the guise of a satellite, as recently announced, is against the nonproliferation efforts of the international community," Foreign Ministry press secretary Yutaka Yokoi said, quoting a copy of Noda's prepared remarks.

Obama says: Nuclear terrorism is World's major threat

US President Barack Obama on today underlined greater urgency in safeguarding the world's atomic stockpiles, warning that nuclear terrorism remained one of the world's major threats.

Speaking hours before the commencement of a nuclear security summit in South Korea, the US leader noted that key progress had been made to make it harder for terrorists to acquire material required for building atomic weapons.

He added: "But we're under no illusions. We know that nuclear material -- enough for many weapons -- is still being stored without adequate protection.”

"We know that terrorists and criminal gangs are still trying to get their hands on it, as well as the radioactive material for a dirty bomb... the danger of nuclear terrorism remains one of the greatest threats to global security."

Obama urged the leaders or top officials from 53 nations who had gathered in the South Korean capital, Seoul, for the March 26-27 summit to take concrete steps to secure nuclear materials.

"This is the serious and sustained global effort we need. This is an example of more nations bearing the responsibility and the costs of meeting global challenges," he said.

US urges South Korea to cut oil imports from Iran

A senior US official is urging South Korea to reduce its crude oil imports from Iran to put pressure on Tehran over its nuclear program.

US State Department official Robert Einhorn on Tuesday also urged Seoul to "unwind" its financial dealings with Tehran's central bank.

South Korea restricts financial dealings with more than 200 groups and individuals with suspected links to Iran's nuclear program. But Seoul hasn't yet announced plans to cut oil purchases from Iran.

Einhorn told that Washington is sensitive to its allies' economic interests with Iran. But he says the world should pressure Iran into negotiating seriously over its nuclear program.

Iran says that program is for peaceful purposes.

New North Korean ruler Kim Jong-un lashes out at S Korea

North Korea's first official communication with the outside world following the death of leader Kim Jong-il and the transition of power to his son was a sombre warning to South Korea and its allies that it would not change policies.

The main target of the message, delivered by state news agency KCNA and attributed to the North's National Defence Commission, was South Korea's conservative government headed by President Lee Myung-bak who has pursued a hardline stance against the isolated and impoverished North.

"On this occasion, we solemnly declare with confidence that foolish politicians around the world including the puppet forces in South Korea should not expect any changes from us," said the commission which was the top governing body under Kim Jong-il.

Under Kim Jong-il, who died earlier this month aged 69, North Korea conducted two nuclear tests. In 2010 it shelled a South Korean island and - most independent observers believe - sank a South Korean naval vessel.
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The North denies the sinking and says it was provoked into the artillery barrage that killed civilians.

Kim Jong-il's son, Kim Jong-un, the third member of his family to rule North Korea, has made no public statements since the death of his father whose vast funeral procession was held two days ago.