From the 9th, ASEAN Series of Meetings, Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Deliver Message on North Korea's Return to Dialogue

Minister Kang Kyung-wha Attends... Urges ASEAN Support for 'Korean Peninsula Peace Process'
North Korea's Participation in ARF on 12th Uncertain... All Meetings Proceed via Video Conference

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The government announced that it plans to garner international support for the Korean Peninsula peace process at the Asian-related foreign ministers' meetings starting on the 9th.

The series of meetings will begin with ASEAN+3 (Korea, China, Japan) on the 9th, followed by the East Asia Summit (EAS) and Korea-ASEAN meetings on the 12th. On the 12th, the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), which has the largest number of participating countries, will be held. Due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), all meetings will be held virtually. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha will attend.

A Foreign Ministry official explained on the 7th that they aim to have the Korean government's efforts on the Korean Peninsula peace process evaluated, stating, "We are working to send a message that ASEAN-level calls for the implementation of agreements between the South-North and North America summits and the need for North Korea to return to dialogue are necessary."

Attention is focused on the ARF, where North Korea may participate. The ARF is a multilateral security consultation body that includes North Korea, and 27 countries are expected to discuss issues such as the Korean Peninsula situation and the South China Sea over approximately four hours. At previous ARF meetings, North Korean Foreign Minister and others attended, facilitating contact between the South and North.

The Foreign Ministry official said, "Since this year’s meeting will be held virtually, it is unlikely that we will see progress similar to previous meetings. However, we believe North Korea is also listening to ASEAN’s assessment of the Korean Peninsula issue, and we are making various efforts." North Korea has not yet informed Vietnam, the chair country this year, of its attendance.

At the ASEAN-related foreign ministers' meetings, agendas such as the New Southern Policy and cooperation in response to COVID-19 are expected to be discussed. Regarding the South China Sea issue, it is known that statements emphasizing freedom of navigation and peaceful resolution of disputes are being prepared.

A Foreign Ministry official said, "We plan to continuously emphasize the promotion of the New Southern Policy and discuss how to upgrade the New Southern Policy under the changed policy environment due to COVID-19, as well as how to seek harmonious cooperation with members of the New Southern region. To overcome the COVID crisis, we will discuss health and medical cooperation, information exchange and experience sharing, vaccine development cooperation, and how to ensure equitable distribution after development."

He added, "Regarding economic recovery, maintaining regional supply chains and the movement of essential personnel will be agenda items, and the regional situation will include major discussions on the Korean Peninsula situation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.