Trump praises DPRK leader's decision not to fire missiles towards Guam

US Marines' members ride on a CH-53E Super Stallion for parachute drops during their joint exercise with Japan Ground Self Defense Force, named Northern Viper 17 at Hokudaien exercise area in Eniwa, on the northern island of Hokkaido, Japan, August 15, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

China has repeatedly called for all sides to exercise restraint and remain calm, and while it has signed up for tough UN sanctions on DPRK, it says the key to a resolution lies in Washington and Pyongyang talking to each other, rather than expecting China to do all the work.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel echoed that viewpoint on Wednesday.

"I am totally against the rhetorical armament that is being used by all sides ... There is no military solution for this conflict, it must be worked out via negotiations," Merkel said in response to a question on DPRK in a YouTube interview.

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said while everyone was concerned about the situation, Chinese pressure on DPRK had made him more upbeat.

"Since yesterday we are a bit more optimistic; I think that above all Chinese pressure contributed to the statements from DPRK about definitely putting aside these ideas of firing a missile," Gabriel said.

Japan conducted air maneuvers with US bombers southwest of the Korean peninsula on Wednesday involving two US Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers flying from Andersen Air Force Base on Guam and two Japanese F-15 jet fighters, Japan's Air Self Defence Force said in a news release.

"These training flights with Japan demonstrate the solidarity and resolve we share with our allies to preserve peace and security in the Indo-Asia-Pacific," the US Air Force said.

The US aircraft have flown several sorties in East Asia over recent weeks. In addition to air drills with Japanese fighters, the bombers have also exercised with South Korean aircraft.

DPRK regards the US exercises with South Korea and Japan as preparations for invasion. The exercises also upset China, which says they do nothing to ease tension.

'RECKLESS ACTIONS'

In his first public appearance in about two weeks, Kim on Monday inspected the command of DPRK's army, examining the plan to fire four missiles aimed at landing near Guam, the official KCNA news agency reported.

"He said that if the Yankees persist in their extremely dangerous reckless actions on the Korean peninsula and in its vicinity, testing the self-restraint of the DPRK, the latter will make an important decision as it already declared," KCNA said.

Wednesday's air exercise took place close to Japanese-controlled islets in the East China Sea which are also claimed by China. The uninhabited territory is known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China.

While the United States has declined to take sides in the dispute over the tiny islands, it nonetheless has said it would defend them from attack under its security alliance with Japan.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in a telephone conversation with Sigmar Gabriel, Germany's minister for foreign affairs, said tension on the Korean peninsula was showing some signs of easing but had not passed.

The parties involved should "make a correct judgment and wise choice by taking a responsible attitude toward history and people", Wang said, according to a statement on his ministry's website.

REUTERS