Seoul - Russia and China have proposed that North Korea declare a moratorium on nuclear and missile tests while the United States and South Korea refrain from large-scale military exercises.
The call was issued in a joint statement by the Russian and Chinese foreign ministries on Tuesday following talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The statement came after North Korea tested a missile that flew higher and longer than previous ones, sparking concerns around the world.
Moscow and Beijing suggested that if North Korea halts nuclear and missile tests while the US and South Korea freeze military manoeuvres, the parties could sit down for talks that should lead to obligations not to use force and to refrain from aggression.
Earlier in the day South Koreans expressed concern over increased tensions on the Korean Peninsula as they watched news of North Korea's announcement that it successfully launched its first intercontinental ballistic missile.
