By Lee Chi-dong WASHINGTON, June 4 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Barack Obama and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, will discuss ways to press North Korea to rid itself of nuclear technology when they meet in California later this week, an official here said Tuesday.

Japan, the United States and South Korea agreed Saturday to cooperate in curbing North Korea's nuclear and missile development, as well as its provocative actions. Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera, U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan Jin shared the view North Korea's de-facto long-range missile test in December and its third nuclear test in February pose a "serious threat" to security in Northeast Asia and the world, the three ministers said in a joint statement issued after a meeting in Singapore.

SINGAPORE, May 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin arrived in Singapore Friday to attend a security forum where he will focus on coordinating efforts on North Korea as hope grows for talks to reduce tension following months of bellicose rhetoric from the communist country. The Asia Security Summit, also called the Shangri-La Dialogue, was to open Friday evening for a three-day run, with the defense chiefs and security experts from 27 nations in attendance.

SINGAPORE, May 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin arrived in Singapore Friday to attend a security forum where he will focus on coordinating efforts on North Korea as hope grows for talks to reduce tension following months of bellicose rhetoric from the communist country. The Asia Security Summit, also called the Shangri-La Dialogue, was to open Friday evening for a three-day run, with the defense chiefs and security experts from 27 nations in attendance.