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US 'opposes' nuclear North Korea US 'opposes' nuclear North Korea
(40 minutes later)
The US "will not accept" a nuclear-armed North Korea, Defence Secretary Robert Gates has told an Asian summit.The US "will not accept" a nuclear-armed North Korea, Defence Secretary Robert Gates has told an Asian summit.
Mr Gates told his counterparts the US would "not stand idly by as North Korea builds the capability to wreak destruction on any target". Mr Gates said the US would "not stand idly by as North Korea builds the capability to wreak destruction on any target in the region or on us".
A top Chinese army official attending the meeting in Singapore called on Pyongyang to move to denuclearisation. A top Chinese army official attending the meeting called on all parties involved to remain "cool-headed".
Earlier, the US said activity in the North could indicate plans for a new long-range missile test.Earlier, the US said activity in the North could indicate plans for a new long-range missile test.
Vehicle movements resembled the build-up to a test last month, the US said.Vehicle movements resembled the build-up to a test last month, the US said.
'Potential arms race''Potential arms race'
Speaking in Singapore, Mr Gates made it clear the US would take an extremely dim view of more nuclear or missile testing by North Korea.Speaking in Singapore, Mr Gates made it clear the US would take an extremely dim view of more nuclear or missile testing by North Korea.
"The truth of the matter is if they continue on the path they are on, I think the consequences for stability in the region are significant."The truth of the matter is if they continue on the path they are on, I think the consequences for stability in the region are significant.
Our stand on the issue is consistent. We are resolutely opposed to nuclear proliferation Ma XiaotianPeople's Liberation Army, China
"I think it poses the potential for some kind of an arms race here in this region."I think it poses the potential for some kind of an arms race here in this region.
Our stand on the issue is consistent. We are resolutely opposed to nuclear proliferation Ma XiaotianPeople's Liberation Army, China
"We will not stand idly by as North Korea builds the capability to wreak destruction on any target in the region or on us," Mr Gates added."We will not stand idly by as North Korea builds the capability to wreak destruction on any target in the region or on us," Mr Gates added.
But he insisted the next step in negating Pyongyang's ambitions would be political, not military. However, he said he did not consider North Korea to be a direct military threat to the US "at this point".
The Pentagon chief also argued for bolstering diplomatic relations with China, and cited common challenges facing regional Asian powers: counterterrorism, piracy, energy security and disaster relief. He insisted the next step in negating Pyongyang's ambitions would be political, not military.
The Pentagon chief also argued for bolstering diplomatic relations with China, and cited common challenges facing regional Asian powers: counter-terrorism, piracy, energy security and disaster relief.
"It is essential for the United States and China to find opportunities to co-operate wherever possible," he said."It is essential for the United States and China to find opportunities to co-operate wherever possible," he said.
The BBC's Asia correspondent, Jonathan Head, says Mr Gates' speech is probably intended to reassure countries in this region that the new administration in Washington is committed to support its allies. The BBC's Asia correspondent, Jonathan Head, says Mr Gates' speech is probably intended to reassure countries in the region that the new administration in Washington is committed to supporting its allies.
Some of his words were echoed by Ma Xiaotian, deputy chief of general staff of China's People's Liberation Army. Some of Mr Gates' words were echoed by Ma Xiaotian, deputy chief of general staff of China's People's Liberation Army.
"Our stand on the issue is consistent. We are resolutely opposed to nuclear proliferation. Our view is that the Korean peninsula should move towards denuclearisation," Mr Ma told the summit. "Our stand on the issue is consistent. We are resolutely opposed to nuclear proliferation.
"Our view is that the Korean peninsula should move towards denuclearisation," Mr Ma told the summit.
"Our hope is that all parties concerned will remain cool-headed and take measures to address the problem.""Our hope is that all parties concerned will remain cool-headed and take measures to address the problem."
New test concernsNew test concerns
Before Mr Gates spoke, defence officials in Washington said US satellite photos had revealed vehicle activity at a site in North Korea used to fire long-range missiles.Before Mr Gates spoke, defence officials in Washington said US satellite photos had revealed vehicle activity at a site in North Korea used to fire long-range missiles.
ESCALATING TENSIONS 27 May - North Korea says it is abandoning the truce that ended the Korean war and reportedly test-fires another missile26 May - The North test-fires short-range missiles as South Korea announces it will join a US-led initiative to control trafficking in weapons of mass destruction26 May - President Barack Obama pledges military support for America's East Asian allies, as the UN condemns the nuclear test 25 May - North Korea stages its second nuclear test, triggering international condemnation29 April - Pyongyang threatens to carry out a nuclear test unless the UN apologises for criticising its recent rocket launch14 April - Pyongyang says it is ending talks on its nuclear activities and will restore its disabled nuclear reactor after UN criticism of its rocket launch5 April - The North goes ahead with a controversial rocket launch, seen by major governments as a cover for a long-range missile test Q&A: North Korea nuclear test What is N Korea's game plan?ESCALATING TENSIONS 27 May - North Korea says it is abandoning the truce that ended the Korean war and reportedly test-fires another missile26 May - The North test-fires short-range missiles as South Korea announces it will join a US-led initiative to control trafficking in weapons of mass destruction26 May - President Barack Obama pledges military support for America's East Asian allies, as the UN condemns the nuclear test 25 May - North Korea stages its second nuclear test, triggering international condemnation29 April - Pyongyang threatens to carry out a nuclear test unless the UN apologises for criticising its recent rocket launch14 April - Pyongyang says it is ending talks on its nuclear activities and will restore its disabled nuclear reactor after UN criticism of its rocket launch5 April - The North goes ahead with a controversial rocket launch, seen by major governments as a cover for a long-range missile test Q&A: North Korea nuclear test What is N Korea's game plan?
The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the US was closely monitoring the North's missile sites and other sensitive facilities.The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the US was closely monitoring the North's missile sites and other sensitive facilities.
However, a Pentagon official told the BBC that the US had noticed this type of activity on previous occasions which did not always lead to a missile being fired.However, a Pentagon official told the BBC that the US had noticed this type of activity on previous occasions which did not always lead to a missile being fired.
The official said activity at this site had been going on for more than a couple of days, but did not know for how long exactly.The official said activity at this site had been going on for more than a couple of days, but did not know for how long exactly.
On Friday, Pyongyang also fired a short-range missile off its east coast, and warned of "self-defence" measures if the UN Security Council imposed sanctions over what it says was a successful nuclear test carried out earlier in the week.On Friday, Pyongyang also fired a short-range missile off its east coast, and warned of "self-defence" measures if the UN Security Council imposed sanctions over what it says was a successful nuclear test carried out earlier in the week.
The North has been subject to international criticism, including from the US, China and Russia, since the explosion, which if confirmed would be the North's second ever atomic test. The North has been subject to international criticism, from the US, China and Russia among others, since the explosion, which, if confirmed, would be the North's second atomic test.
The hardline communist state, under President Kim Jong-il, has threatened military action against the South after Seoul's decision to join a US-led Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) under which North Korean ships could be stopped and searched. The hardline communist state, under President Kim Jong-il, has threatened military action against the South after Seoul's decision to join a US-led Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), under which North Korean ships could be stopped and searched.
US and South Korean troops are currently on high alert after the North said it was no longer bound by the truce that ended the Korean war in 1953.US and South Korean troops are currently on high alert after the North said it was no longer bound by the truce that ended the Korean war in 1953.
Pyongyang says this decision to join the PSI is tantamount to an act of war. Pyongyang says Seoul's decision to join the PSI is tantamount to an act of war.