Japanese, South Korean leaders agree to cooperate on North's attack

Nov 24, 2010, 6:53 GMT

Tokyo - The Japanese government said Wednesday Prime Minister Naoto Kan and South Korean President Lee Myung Bak agreed to cooperate closely following North's Korea's shelling of a South Korean island.

North Korea fired artillery shells Tuesday at Yeonpyeong Island near their disputed western sea border, killing two soldiers and injuring 15 more as well as three civilians.

Kan told Lee that Tokyo supported Seoul and would ask China, the North's major ally, to play an active role in preventing Pyongyang from carrying out further provocative acts, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Tetsuro Fukuyama was quoted by Kyodo News as saying.

The nearly-20-minute talks took place after Lee discussed the conflict with US President Barack Obama. Kan and Lee confirmed the three countries would enhance cooperation on security issues, Fukuyama said.

During a government meeting in the morning, Kan called the attack 'an intolerable act of barbarism .... We have been strongly condemning North Korea and this stance will stay unchanged.'

'I believe that the lives of Japanese people will not immediately be affected. But to make sure that will not be the case, I'd like you all to make efforts,' Kan told ministers.

Kan also urged China to do more to restrain North Korea.

'It is necessary to also ask China, which has a strong influence on North Korea, to work together to restrain this kind of act by the North,' the premier said.

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