Unification minister expresses hope for bigger ASEAN role in securing peace on Korean Peninsula

Unification Minister Chung Dong-young met with Thai Ambassador Tanee Sangrat on Monday and expressed hope that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will play a bigger role in promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula. "I expect ASEAN to play a greater role in promoting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, with the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) at its center," Chung told the Thai envoy during their meeting at his office in central Seoul. For the 2024-27 period, Thailand is serving as the country coordinator between ASEAN and South Korea. It also hosts the largest North Korean Embassy among ASEAN members. Chung said the security situation on the peninsula and in Northeast Asia directly and indirectly affects ASEAN, while also noting the strengthening ties between Thailand and North Korea. The minister also recalled the attendance of Southeast Asian leaders at North Korea's military parade last month, noting that ASEAN accounts for a significant portion of North Korea's engagement in international affairs. Sangrat expressed hope that South Korea will "make good use of the ARWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times