Kerry warns DPRK to immediately stop provoking

TOKYO - US Secretary of State John Kerry warned here Sunday that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has to "immediately stop" its provocative actions.

US Secretary of State John Kerry (L) and Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida attend a joint press conference at Japanese Foreign Ministry's Iikura Guesthouse in Tokyo, Japan, April 14, 2013.[Photo/Xinhua]

Making the remarks at a press conference after talks with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida, Kerry also showed the willingness to negotiate with the DPRK, adding that the United States is a "ready" negotiator.

Kerry said there are possibilities to bring peace in the Korean Peninsula, saying "our choice is to negotiate, our choice is to move to the table and find a way for the region to have peace."

Kerry, however, also emphasized that his country is "fully committed" to defense Japan and said the United States would do " what was necessary" to protect its allies.

He also said the goal of the denuclearization in the Korean Peninsula was "strongly reaffirmed" with Chinese leaders when he was in Beijing on Saturday.

The top US diplomat clarified his comment in Beijing that the United States will reduce its missiles in the region if the threats from the DPRK disappear.

For his part, Kishida said Japan will enhance a trilateral cooperation with the United States and South Korea to cope with threats from the DPRK, adding Japan and the United States agreed not to allow the DPRK obtain any nuclear weapons.

Kishida also urged the DPRK to fulfill the agreements reached at the six-party talks and resolutions by the United Nations Security Council.

The two countries also discussed issues of Japan's participation in the US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership, climate change and cyber security.

Kerry, who is on a three Asian-country visit that already brought him to Republic of Korea and China, will also meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday. Japan is the last leg of his visit.