Russia, China Urge North Korea To Halt Missile Tests, Return To Nuclear Talks

Russia and China have urged North Korea to halt ballistic-missile tests and return to talks on its nuclear program.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi issued the appeal following talks in Moscow on March 11.

The two met a day after North Korea defied the United Nations by firing two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea.

Russia's Lavrov said Moscow deemed Pyongyang's behavior "irresponsible."

Pyongyang has a large stockpile of short-range missiles and is developing long-range and intercontinental missiles.

Commenting on the North's growing nuclear ambitions, Wang said the latest UN resolution banning its nuclear tests must be "implemented point by point."

Earlier on March 11, North Korean official media said leader Kim Jong Un had watched a ballistic-missile test launch and ordered the country to improve its nuclear attack capability by conducting more tests.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP