Association of Southeast Asian Nations foreign ministers yesterday expressed grave concern over the escalation of tension in the Korean Peninsula.
The foreign ministers also expressed concern over the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s – more commonly known as North Korea – two nuclear tests in 2016 and subsequent ballistic missile launches.
“ASEAN is mindful that instability in the Korean Peninsula seriously impacts the region and beyond,” they said in an official statement during their meeting at the Meeting Room 2 and 3 of the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
“ASEAN strongly urges the DPRK to comply fully with its obligations arising from all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and international laws in the interest of maintaining international peace and security,” it added.
ASEAN also urged the DPRK and all parties concerned to exercise self-restraint in order to de-escalate the tension and refrain from actions that may aggravate the situation. (Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos)