North, South Korea talks collapse

During the talks in Pusan, which ended a day earlier than scheduled, the South urged North Korea to explain why it had launched the barrage of missiles despite international warnings.

But Pyongyang ignored the issue, focusing on economic cooperation and requests for aid.

Meanwhile, China has asked Japan not to add fuel to flames by making 8216;8216;extremely irresponsible8217;8217; statements, including launching 8216;8216;a pre-emptive strike8217;8217; on North Korea.

Japanese remarks in this regard are 8216;8216;extremely irresponsible8217;8217;, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said when asked to comment on the repeated remarks by some Japanese politicians that Tokyo should launch a 8216;8216;pre-emptive strike8217;8217; against Pyongyang.