Japan and Pacific island countries on Saturday called on North Korea to take concrete actions toward denuclearization by complying with U.N. sanctions imposed over its nuclear and missile programs, as they wrapped up a two-day summit in Fukushima Prefecture.

In the joint declaration released after the gathering in the port city of Iwaki, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and leaders from 14 Pacific island nations expressed "deep concern" over the North evading international sanctions by transferring cargoes at sea.

The leaders "strongly called on North Korea to immediately take concrete actions" in accordance with the U.N. Security Council resolutions and pledged "their commitment to exerting continued pressure on North Korea."