Beijing, Seoul Focus on N. Korea Standoff

The leaders of China and South Korea pledged new efforts to resolve the standoff over North Korea’s suspected development of nuclear weapons. But China, North Korea’s leading ally, also said the North needs reassurances that it won’t come under attack.

Chinese President Hu Jintao and South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun spoke after private talks in Beijing. Hu said they agreed on the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean peninsula. China says it favors keeping nuclear weapons off the peninsula.