Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan has expressed regret over the UN Security Council's hesitation to condemn North Korea, following emergency talks at a closed-door UN Security Council emergency meeting on Sunday.
The Council discussed a Russian draft statement calling on both North and South Korea to refrain from escalation of the conflict.
A failure of the United States and China to agree prevented adoption of a coordinated statement. The United States insisted on a clear condemnation of the reclusive communist regime, whereas China was against blaming Pyongyang.
"Since the problem occurred because of firing from the North Korean side, it is necessary to send a signal denouncing North Korea," Kan said, adding that UN Security Council's indecision was regrettable.
Meanwhile, China hailed the UN talks, citing the importance of the United States and Russia's efforts to "avoid armed conflict on the peninsula."
Kan said since China had an enormous influence on North Korea, it should be responsible to the international community.
South Korean military conducted a 90-minute live-firing exercises on Yeonpyeong Island near the disputed border with North Korea earlier on Monday. The drills went ahead despite threats of retaliation from Pyongyang, a month after the North Korean military shelled the island, killing four people.
The North does not recognize the sea border between the two countries, known as the Northern Limit Line, and claims the waters around Yeonpyeong as its territory.
TOKYO, December 21 (RIA Novosti)
