▲ Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun attends the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Manila, Philippines, on the 23rd.
Foreign ministers from the Indo-Pacific region have adopted the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Chairman's Statement, expressing concern over North Korea's nuclear and missile programs while urging the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions, denuclearization, and dialogue.
The Chairman's Statement from this year's ARF meeting, which was attended by South Korea, the United States, Japan, China, and Russia—with North Korea absent for the second consecutive year—included the phrase "complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," following last year.
According to diplomatic circles on today (the 26th), the ARF meeting was held in Manila, Philippines, on the 23rd, and the Chairman's Statement was released the day before yesterday.
The statement said, "The meeting expressed concern over recent developments on the Korean Peninsula and underscored the importance of resuming peaceful dialogue among all relevant parties in order to realize lasting peace and stability in a denuclearized Korean Peninsula."
It further noted, "The meeting expressed serious concern over the concerning developments regarding the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's continued development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, which violate relevant UN Security Council resolutions, threatening peace and stability in the region."
It also emphasized, "The meeting urged the full implementation of all relevant UN Security Council resolutions and took note of international efforts to promote the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner."
In addition, it stated that diplomatic efforts, including creating a favorable environment for peaceful dialogue among all relevant parties, must remain a top priority, adding, "The meeting reaffirmed its readiness to play a constructive role, including through utilizing ASEAN-led platforms such as the ARF, in creating a conducive atmosphere for peaceful dialogue among the parties concerned."
The ARF Chairman's Statement has shown a shift in tone compared to the past, starting last year when North Korea was absent for the first time.
Until 2024, the expression "CVID" (complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization) regarding North Korea's nuclear program was used for three consecutive years, but starting last year, it was replaced with "complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula."
CVID is an expression that North Korea has long protested, and the inclusion of the lower-level expression "complete denuclearization" is seen to reflect the South Korean government's policy direction aimed at improving relations to make progress on the North Korean nuclear issue.
Regarding dialogue with North Korea, while 2024 emphasized to "continue dialogue," last year and this year mentioned "resuming dialogue," reflecting the reality that inter-Korean communication has been cut off.
Regarding the situation in the South China Sea, the statement said, "We look forward to sustained efforts to conclude negotiations on an effective and substantive Code of Conduct (COC) consistent with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) within this year."
It also added, "The meeting emphasized the importance of exercise of self-restraint in the conduct of activities by claimants and all other countries that may further complicate the situation and escalate tensions in the South China Sea."
Regarding the situation in the Middle East, it expressed "deep concern over the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East, particularly the resumed hostilities between the United States and Iran," and stated its support for "diplomatic efforts to bring lasting and durable peace to the Middle East."
(Photo provided by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yonhap News)
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