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Vientiane /Â AFP
The United States warned North Korea on Tuesday that it faces “real consequences” over its internationally condemned nuclear and missile tests, which have inflamed tensions in East Asia. “Together we are determined… to make absolutely certain that DPRK (North Korea) understands that there are real consequences for these actions,” US Secretary of State John Kerry told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting of Asian nations in Laos.
Tensions have soared since Pyongyang carried out its fourth nuclear test in January, followed by a series of missile launches. Analysts say these show it is making progress towards being able to strike the US mainland.
The festering issue has been a major theme of the talks in Vientiane, which are being attended by Southeast Asian nations as well as key regional players including China, the US, Russia, Japan and South Korea.
North Korea’s new foreign minister and former nuclear negotiator Ri Yong-Ho is also attending the meeting hosted by the 10-member ASEAN.