South-east Asian issues on the agenda tomorrow

MANILA: South-east Asian foreign ministers expressed grave concern yesterday about rising tensions on the Korean peninsula stemming from long-range missile tests by North Korea that “seriously threaten” global peace and security.

Taking a stronger tone than it has previously, the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) called for North Korea to comply with UN Security Council resolutions on its nuclear programme and make a positive contribution to regional peace.

The statement was issued separately rather than included in Asean’s customary communique at the end of the foreign ministers’ meeting.

Following that meeting, tomorrow’s annual Asean Regional Forum (ARF), which hosts 27 foreign ministers – including those of Russia, Japan, South Korea, the US, China and North Korea – is to discuss Asian security issues.

North Korea is determined to develop a nuclear missile capable of hitting the US and officials in Washington say its latest test a week ago showed it may be able to reach most of the country.

China has urged calm and restraint from all countries involved in the standoff. The Asean position is short of the tougher line on North Korea urged by the US, which wants Southeast Asian countries to downgrade their relations with the already isolated nation.

Philippine Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, who is chairing the Manila meetings, said on Friday Asean would not consider expelling North Korea from the ARF.

He argued it was better to have dialogue and use a rare opportunity where parties involved could meet together.

Some Asian countries, including South Korea, are hoping to have bilateral talks with North Korea’s foreign minister, Ri Yong Ho. He left Pyongyang yesterday and was en route to Manila.

“If there is a chance, I would tell him that we must have dialogue and that the North must stop the continuous provocations,” South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung Wha told reporters.

“Moreover, I will tell him that to build a peaceful system and North Korea must still respond to two proposals we recently suggested.”

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is due to attend the Manila meeting and will press China and other Asian countries to take tougher action against North Korea. – Reuters