Asia-Pacific News
Obama welcomes South Korea cooperation in naval inspections (Extra)
May 26, 2009, 3:54 GMT
Washington - US President Barack Obama Monday expressed his appreciation that South Korea has joined the US-led initiative to stop ships on the high seas suspected of carrying contraband weapons of mass destruction.
In his phone call to South Korean President Lee Myung Bak, Obama noted that Seoul had joined the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), launched after the 2001 terrorist attacks on the US.
South Korea Tuesday formally announced its participation in the PSI. The country's accession to the initiative has been expected since North Korea test-fired a rocket on April 5.
Seoul had previously hesitated to join, saying the move could create unnecessary tension with North Korea, which is under suspicion of trafficking weapons, drugs and counterfeit money.
Pyongyang had said earlier it regarded Seoul's participation in the PSI a declaration of war, the Yonhap news agency said.
Obama also expressed support for South Korea's security after North Korea exploded a test nuclear bomb early Monday.
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curious1May 26th, 2009 - 07:37:11
If North Korea's leaders have finally become so effectively psychopathic, they might actually welcome war.
The US can't win on a 3rd war front (even with ROK and JMSDF help) without using up a whole lotta nukes. Buy your GOLD-colored gas mask filters now!
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