South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun urged North Korea to resume dialogue and contribute to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula during the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Manila. Cho stated that efforts for peace require cooperation from both sides and expressed hope that North Korea would respond to Seoul's sincere overtures.
Many participants at the ARF voiced concerns regarding North Korea's ongoing nuclear weapons and missile development, emphasizing the need for denuclearization and adherence to UN Security Council resolutions. The forum, which includes major regional powers like the United States, China, Japan, and Russia, is the only multilateral security forum where both Koreas participate, though North Korea was absent for the second consecutive year.
The ARF adopted the Manila Plan of Action, outlining the forum's cooperation direction for the next decade. South Korea also committed to co-chairing several inter-sessional meetings on topics such as counter-terrorism and transnational crime.
Later, Cho attended the East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, where discussions included the Middle East crisis, the South China Sea, and North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. Participants at the EAS also stressed the importance of resolving Korean Peninsula issues through dialogue and diplomacy. Cho highlighted the need for peace and stability in the South China Sea, freedom of navigation, and a maritime order based on international law.
