'Pakistan won't transfer nuke tech to N Korea'

The two top diplomats met Saturday for talks on the sidelines of an informal gathering here of 18 Asian ministers.

"There is strong speculation that Pakistani nuclear technology -- uranium -- has been transferred to North Korea," Japanese foreign ministry spokesman Hatsuhisa Takashima told reporters.

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"We are very much pleased to hear that Foreign Minister Kasuri promised Pakistan would not do any such development with North Korea which would endanger the security of Japan."

"North Korea is such a controversial country that Pakistan recently made the decision not to deal with North Korea anymore," he added.

US newspaper reports last year said missile and nuclear technology had been clandestinely transferred from Pakistan to North Korea.

The Pakistani government has categorically denied any leaking of its nuclear technology.

During a visit to Pakistan's arch-rival India in January, Kawaguchi told Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha that the transfer of nuclear and missile technology by Pakistan to North Korea, if it was taking place, would have an "impact" on Tokyo's relations with Islamabad.

Takashima said Japan rates the 170 to 180 missiles it beleves North Korea has deployed as its number-one security threat.

"We have been raising this issue for quite some time now with Pakistan," he added.

During the Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) talks in northern Thailand Kawaguchi also praised both India and Pakistan for their efforts to defuse tensions between the nuclear-equipped neighbours.

"She also urged the Pakistani government to continue efforts to promote peace between the two countries, and she would say the same to the Indian side," Takashima said.