JABAR EKSPRES – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ARF) Regional Forum’s latest statement expressing the regional alliance’s concern over the North Korean threat reflects the Indo-Pacific region’s growing concern over North Korea’s nuclear and missile development programs, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said Tuesday (7/18).
In an ARF chairman’s statement broadcast Monday, Indo-Pacific foreign ministers expressed concern over regional tensions due to North Korea’s actions.
South Korean Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lim Soo-suk emphasized that the ARF statement came after ASEAN foreign ministers condemned North Korea’s intercontinental missile launch last week.
“ASEAN ministers expressed deep concern and disappointment over North Korea’s missile launch, urging North Korea to take serious steps to reduce tensions,” Lim said.
Lim also mentioned three ASEAN statements involving South Korea in the ASEAN-Corsel foreign ministers meeting, the ASEAN Plus Three foreign ministers meeting and the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting with East Asia, expressing concern about North Korea.
Lim also emphasized that ASEAN this year expressed support for the Yoon Suk Yeol administration’s “bold initiative” proposed to North Korea where last year ASEAN said it welcomed the move.
Lim said the Yoon Suk Yeol administration emphasized that the four joint statements of ASEAN and its partners reflected for the first time the international community’s concerns on the situation in North Korea, including the issue of prisoners and abductees held in North Korea.
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