ASEAN defense forum discusses peace cooperation amid hardening Sino-US rivalry

KUALA LUMPUR — Defense chiefs of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its dialogue partners gathered to discuss joint efforts to promote peace during an annual forum in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, amid concerns about China's growing assertiveness, North Korea's military threats and other challenges. The ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) brought together defense leaders of the 11-member association and its eight dialogue partners — South Korea, the United States, Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand and Russia — providing a platform for dialogue on various issues, including cybersecurity and maritime security. Participants included South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi. The meeting under the theme of "ASEAN Unity for Security and Prosperity" was chaired by Malaysian Defense Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin as they marked the 15th anniversary of the ADMM-Plus. In his opening remarks, the chair called for unity and cooperation, and adherence to international lWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times