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ASEAN and its Indo-Pacific partners have collectively urged North Korea to comply with United Nations Security Council resolutions. This appeal was made during the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference held in Jakarta, Indonesia, where foreign ministers and representatives from countries including the United States, Japan, South Korea, and Australia convened to discuss regional security and cooperation.
The joint statement issued at the conference expressed grave concerns over North Korea’s ongoing missile tests and nuclear activities, which contravene international mandates and pose a serious threat to regional stability. ASEAN and its partners stressed the necessity for Pyongyang to engage in meaningful dialogue and take concrete measures toward denuclearization. The call for compliance with U.N. resolutions reflects a unified stance on upholding international law and ensuring peace in the Indo-Pacific region.
“North Korea’s actions continue to undermine peace and stability in our region,” said a representative from the Indonesian Foreign Ministry. “We urge Pyongyang to halt its provocations and return to the negotiating table.”
The conference also reaffirmed the participants’ support for diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving tensions on the Korean Peninsula. There was a strong emphasis on the importance of sustained negotiations to achieve a peaceful resolution, with the hope that North Korea will eventually commit to denuclearization.
In addition to addressing the North Korean issue, the conference underscored the importance of regional cooperation in tackling broader security challenges. The partners pledged to strengthen collaboration on various fronts, including maritime security, counter-terrorism, and cyber threats. This commitment to enhanced cooperation reflects a shared vision of a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
“The security challenges we face are interconnected, and only through collective effort can we address them effectively,” noted a senior diplomat from Japan. “Our cooperation is vital for ensuring the safety and stability of our region.”