FOREIGN ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) said Saturday that the the escalation of tensions in the Korean Peninsula “seriously” jeopardize “peace, security and stability in the region and the world.”
In a joint statement, the regional bloc’s top diplomats expressed “grave concerns” over North Korea’s missile launches and nuclear tests.
“These developments seriously threaten peace, security and stability in the region and the world. In this regard, we strongly urge the DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) to immediately comply fully with its obligations under all relevant UN Security Council Resolutions,” they said, with regard to the developments in the Korean Peninsula.
Asean foreign ministers reiterated their call for the “complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner.”
They urged the North Korea to exercise “self-restraint” in conducting missile test and recognize the importance of creating conditions “conducive for dialogue to de-escalate tensions.”
They also appealed to the DPRK, a participant of the Asean Regional Forum (ARF), “to positively contribute to realize the ARF Vision to maintain the Asia-Pacific as a region of lasting peace, stability, friendship and prosperity.”
“We support initiatives to improve inter-Korean relations towards establishing permanent peace in the Korean Peninsula. Asean stands ready to play a constructive role in contributing to peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula,” the joint communique read.
“[ARF is] where states and organizations, both within and outside region work in a spirit of mutual trust, appreciation and respect to overcome security threats and challenges and prevent escalation of potential conflicts with a view to creating an environment conducive to sustainable development, social progress and improved quality of life for all peoples in the region,” it added. (VoxPop Philippines)
