In Japan, Tough Talk About Preemptive Capability

In Washington, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the United States concurred that China should be given time to press North Korea. The mission holds "some promise, and we would like to let that play out," she said, expressing hope that it would result in resumption of stalled six-nation talks on North Korea's nuclear program and resumption of a North Korean moratorium on missile launches.

Japan's swift and tough response to the missile tests is in contrast to the caution expressed by South Korea. In addition, the South's relations with Japan have become tense: On the day of the missile tests, the government in Seoul had dispatched a survey ship into disputed waters claimed by both nations despite protests from Tokyo.

South Korea's presidential office on Monday accused Tokyo of "making a fuss" out of the missile tests and said it would go ahead with scheduled ministerial-level talks with North Korean officials Tuesday in the southern city of Pusan.

South Korea also blasted Japan's call to discuss preemptive strike capabilities against North Korea, which, along with the South, endured Japanese colonial rule from 1910 to 1945. As South Korea has moved to the political left and enjoyed warm ties with North Korea in recent years, it has joined Pyongyang in decrying what both have called Japan's renewed shift toward militarism.

Referring to Aso's comments, South Korean presidential spokesman Jung Tae Ho said Tuesday in Seoul, "We can't help but watch them intensely as Japan has exposed the nature of its aggressive policy."

Though South Korean officials had threatened to cut off vital humanitarian aid to the North Koreans if they tested missiles, they indicated Monday that such action would not be immediately taken up in the pending discussions.

Staff writers Colum Lynch at the United Nations and Robin Wright in Washington contributed to this report.