China has not only the responsibility but also the capability to influence North Korea¡¯s behavior, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has said, calling on Beijing to dissuade Pyongyang from pursuing banned development of nuclear weapons and missiles.

In a wide-ranging interview Monday, Yoon urged China, North Korea¡¯s closest ally, to fulfill its responsibilities as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, and said that not doing do so would lead to an influx of military assets to the region.

¡°What is sure is that China has the capability to influence North Korea, and China has the responsibility to engage in the process,¡± Yoon said in his office. It was up to Beijing to decide whether it would exert that influence for peace and stability, he added.