The comments come after the North Korean government announced plans to suspend all operations at its Kaesong joint industrial zone with South Korea.

 

　　CRI's Zhang Shuangfeng reports.

 

　　North Korea state television has announced the North Korean government is pulling out all of its nationals from the Kaesong industrial zone.

 

　　The zone is where around 120 South Korean companies employ some 54-thousand North Koreans.

 

　　"It will temporarily suspend the operations in the zone and examine the issue of whether it will allow its existence or close it as the South Korean authorities and military warmongers seek to turn it into a hotbed of confrontation between compatriots and war against our county, hurting its dignity."

 

　　The pronouncement has prompted a response from the Chinese government.

 

　　Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei:

 

　　"Regarding the situation on the Korean Peninsula, we want peace not war. We want reconciliation not tension, we want dialogue not confrontation. Conflicts or even wars on the Korean peninsula are not in the interest of any party. China is committed to the　peace and stability of the Korean peninsula and northeast Asia as well as denuclearization of the Korean peninsula."

 

　　The Chinese government says its embassy in North Korea is operating normally for the time being.

 

　　The Chinese side has called on North Korea to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel at its embassy.

 

　　At the same time, the South Korean Defence Ministry says it believes the North could be preparing for its 4th nuclear test sometime this week.

 

　　Spokesperson Kim Min-seok:

 

　　"We are aware of the possibility of North Korea launching a ballistic missile around the 10th of April. We are closely monitoring the movement of North Korea's ballistic missile launch by using joint South Korea-US intelligence assets."

 

　　Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have been increasing on an almost-daily basis following the latest UN resolution against North Korea following its latest nuclear test in February.

 

　　For CRI, this is Zhang Shuangfeng.