North Korea backs ASEAN while accusing US of seeking regional influence

Istanbul (ANTARA) - North Korea has reaffirmed its support for ASEAN in maintaining regional peace and stability, whilst simultaneously accusing the United States of exploiting the organisation for its own interests in Southeast Asia.

In a statement broadcast by the KCNA news agency on Friday, a spokesperson for the North Korean foreign ministry welcomed ASEAN’s role in promoting regional peace and security based on the principles of “respect for sovereignty, sovereign equality, and non-interference in internal affairs”.

The statement was issued in conjunction with the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Manila, the Philippines, where regional security issues such as North Korea and the Taiwan Strait featured prominently on the agenda.

However, Pyongyang accused the US and “a number of countries following it” of exploiting the ASEAN platform to advance what it described as policies contrary to the aspirations for peace, development and cooperation cherished by the countries of the region.

The North Korean foreign ministry specifically condemned the foreign ministers of the US, Japan and South Korea, who called for the denuclearisation of North Korea and discussed the Taiwan Strait issue under the pretext of “freedom of navigation”.

Pyongyang claimed the three countries were “the root of regional instability and the main obstacle to achieving peace”, according to the KCNA report.

In addition to asserting that Southeast Asia must not become “a region subordinated to US security and prosperity”, Pyongyang also urged that ASEAN forums should not become venues for provoking hostility or criticising other nations.

North Korea reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining good relations with ASEAN member states that respect its sovereignty, whilst continuing to contribute to peace, security and mutually beneficial cooperation in the region.

Pyongyang also stressed that North Korea’s status as a nuclear state cannot be changed under any circumstances, the KCNA report said.

Source: Anadolu