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Friday, March 29, 2024

NoKor envoy in town ahead of security gab

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NORTH Korea on Wednesday sent a senior diplomat to the Philippines to oversee the country’s preparations in line with its foreign minister’s attendance at the upcoming meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum.

Foreign Affairs spokesman Robespierre Bolivar said North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Choe Hui Chol arrived Wednesday morning and left for Pyongyang on the same day after meeting with his counterpart, Undersecretary for Policy Enrique Manalo.

Bolivar said the sole purpose of Choe’s visit is to discuss preparations for Foreign Minister Ri Su-yong’s participation at next week’s regional forum.

The Asean Regional Forum, the bloc’s largest security meeting, is attended by Asean foreign ministers and 17 other dialogue partners including the US, Japan, China, Russia, South Korea, and North Korea.

The Philippines is the current chairman for the Asean summit.

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Asean consists of the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump said America is prepared to use force if need be to stop North Korea’s nuclear missile program.

In April, during the Asean Foreign Ministers Meeting, the bloc expressed “grave concern” over North Korea’s nuclear tests, and said Prongyang’s actions cause instability in the region and beyond.

The bloc also appealed to North Korea and all concerned parties to exercise self-restraint to ease tensions and to refrain from actions that may aggravate the situation.

North Korea asked Philippine officials not to put Pyongyang under pressure in Asean meetings, including the Asean Regional Forum.

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