Japan could impose economic sanctions singlehandedly on North Korea if it launches a ballistic missile, Foreign Minister Taro Aso said yesterday.
"As the laws have been passed, all those options would come to the table," Aso said in a program by public broadcaster NHK, referring to sanctions including a freeze on cash transfers and a ban on port calls by North Korean ships.
He said such measures could be introduced without reference to the UN Security Council.
Tension is rising across the region after US officials said the North was preparing to fire a long-range missile, citing satellite photographs.
"We still don't have the confirmed information on whether North Korea completed fueling the missile, and we are not in a situation either to lift the emergency alert," Aso said.
Japanese ships and planes have been monitoring North Korea to gather information about a possible launch, Japan's defense chief has said.
In Seoul, South Korean Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook yesterday urged North Korea quickly to address international concerns about its nuclear ambitions and reported plans to test a missile.
"The government strongly urges North Korea to return to six-way talks in order to resolve the nuclear issue peacefully," Han said in a speech marking the 56th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War at a ceremony in Seoul attended by thousands of war veterans and others.
"North Korea must fully understand international concern about its missile issue and quickly address it," Han said.
"North Korea's nuclear issue is the biggest threat to our security and a major factor undermining peace and stability in Northeast Asia," she added.
South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon will visit Beijing today and tomorrow to discuss security concerns about North Korea with Chinese officials.
Ban has said China, host of the six-way nuclear disarmament talks, could contribute to easing missile tensions.
"China's role is most important to stop North Korea's suspected move to launch a missile," he told reporters on Saturday.
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