During a visit to Beijing, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel told reporters that Russia, China and the US should work together to solve the North Korean crisis, otherwise “our children will grow up in a very dangerous world. »
Gabriel was in Beijing for six hours on Sunday to open an exhibition by German artists and also to hold talks with his Chinese counterpart, Yang Jiechi, about the crisis on the Korean Peninsula.
« It is clear that a dual strategy of pressure and dialogue towards North Korea is needed,” he told German news agency DPA, adding that sanctions over nuclear and missile programs should be “determined and complete.”
« In addition, we need to enter a political process with North Korea to make progress on the denuclearization of the peninsula. »
Gabriel said the process must involve Russia, China and the US working together.
He had previously urged China, the US and Russia to « take a new start on policy of détente. »
“Without the cooperation of these three countries, we will not solve the problem,” he told reporters in China. « If we do not succeed, our children will grow up in a very dangerous world. »
He noted that China is in a particularly precarious position, fearing that too much pressure will cause the North Korean government to collapse right on its doorstep. However, it is necessary to stop the spread of nuclear weapons, because if North Korea becomes a nuclear power, Japan and South Korea might try to follow.
