Korea, SEAsia must “join forces” against North Korea: Yoon

JAKARTA: Seoul and Southeast Asian nations must “join forces” to respond to North Korea’s nuclear threats, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said Tuesday, as Washington warned the North Korean leader was going on an unusual trip. to Russia for arms talks.

Yoon will meet his Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) counterparts in Jakarta, the Indonesian capital, on Wednesday after their leaders’ summit, before attending the 18-nation East Asia Summit the following day. , which will also be attended by Russia.

In an interview with the Indonesian newspaper Kompas, Yoon said North Korea’s missile launches “represent a direct and existential threat” not only to South Korea, but also to its Southeast Asian allies.

“In times like these, the ROK and ASEAN must join forces to respond decisively and cooperate closely on the denuclearization of North Korea,” Yoon said, using his country’s official name.

“Solidarity and cooperation between ASEAN and the ROK should be further enhanced so that the rules-based international order can take firm root in the Indo-Pacific region,” he added.

ASEAN members and South Korea are expected to adopt a joint statement on regional cooperation, which Yoon said would underscore the leaders’ drive for a “free, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”

The United States said Monday North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was expected to make a rare trip to Russia to meet President Vladimir Putin and discuss arms deals.

Kim is reportedly seeking advanced technology for nuclear-powered satellites and submarines, as well as food aid for his impoverished nation, while the United States warned last week that Moscow was seeking ammunition and supplies for its war against Ukraine.

Pyongyang drew condemnation from Washington, Seoul and Tokyo in July when it launched an intercontinental ballistic missile as top diplomats gathered on the sidelines of the ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting in Jakarta.

In a draft ASEAN summit statement seen by Agence France-Presse (AFP), the 10-member bloc called North Korea’s recent surge in ICBM launches a “worrying development” that threatened regional peace.

The draft statement stressed the importance of “peaceful dialogue” between all parties and reiterated the bloc’s willingness to play a “constructive role” in achieving peace on the Korean Peninsula.

At the East Asia Summit, Moscow will be represented by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.