13 th ASEM summit was held on November 25-26, 2021 under the theme of “Strengthening Multilateralism for Shared Growth”. It discussed the issues on strengthening dialogue and fostering cooperation between Asia and Europe based on multilateralism.
Multilateralism is a universal aspiration and desire of the international society to reject all kinds of unilateralism and hostile policies and promote dialogue and cooperation between countries so as to ensure the shared welfare and prosperity.
However, the Chair’s statement announced at this meeting still remains same as before over the issue of the Korean peninsula: It called on all parties to implement UNSC “sanctions resolutions” and picked up again the “human rights” issue and the resolution of the abduction issue, underlining the UNSC resolution for the complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programmes.
The meeting this time avoided touching upon the root cause of the aggravating situation on the Korean peninsula. Instead, it only echoed the prejudiced assertions of the hostile forces which are trying to stifle our Republic. This conduct is also unbecoming to the face of ASEM as a global forum for policy dialogue.
The root cause of the tension on the Korean Peninsula today lies in the U.S. hostile policy against the DPRK and its double standard. Therefore, it is too natural for us to build up our own defense capability to safeguard the sovereignty, the right to existence and the right to development of our state and people.
We are really curious to know if any state among ASEM members would while away, leaving the destiny of its country and nation in the hands of outside forces, when its sovereignty and right to existence are in danger.
No matter how often leaders of ASEM member states sit around the table and publish statements, it would bring no change to the situation on the Korean Peninsula as long as the U.S. hostile policy against the DPRK remains unchanged.
If ASEM is really prepared to contribute to peace and stability on the Korean peninsula, it should, first of all, put in question the U.S. and its vassal forces’ hostile policies against the DPRK - the root cause of instability on Korean peninsula, as befits its mission as a global forum for policy dialogue.
Jong Hyon Chol
Researcher
Society for International Political Study
More From Ministry of Foreign Affairs (EN)
Comrade Aleksandr Lukashenko, President of the Republic of Belarus, on an official visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of
March 26, 2026
Comrade Aleksandr Lukashenko, President of the Republic of Belarus, on an official visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of
A ceremony took place at Kim Il Sung Square on March 25 to welcome Comrade Aleksandr Lukashenko, President of the Republic of
March 26, 2026
A ceremony took place at Kim Il Sung Square on March 25 to welcome Comrade Aleksandr Lukashenko, President of the Republic of
Comrade Aleksandr Lukashenko, President of the Republic of Belarus, on an official visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of
March 26, 2026
Comrade Aleksandr Lukashenko, President of the Republic of Belarus, on an official visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of
To pay an official visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) at the invitation of Comrade Kim Jong Un ,
March 26, 2026
To pay an official visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) at the invitation of Comrade Kim Jong Un ,
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea sent a
March 26, 2026
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea sent a
Japan is speeding up its moves to become a military power. It has deployed to the “Self-Defense Forces” bases long-range attack mi
March 26, 2026
Japan is speeding up its moves to become a military power. It has deployed to the “Self-Defense Forces” bases long-range attack mi
Voices of denunciation are getting higher in the international arena against the U.S. acts of infringement upon human rights and
March 26, 2026
Voices of denunciation are getting higher in the international arena against the U.S. acts of infringement upon human rights and
Today, the DPRK-China friendship is continuously consolidating and developing through centuries and generations braving all sorts
March 25, 2026
Today, the DPRK-China friendship is continuously consolidating and developing through centuries and generations braving all sorts
Amid the soaring determination and will of the entire people to firmly safeguard and strengthen the Juche-oriented socialist
March 25, 2026
Amid the soaring determination and will of the entire people to firmly safeguard and strengthen the Juche-oriented socialist
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a reply message to Comrade Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, President of the Russian Federation,
March 25, 2026
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a reply message to Comrade Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, President of the Russian Federation,
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), received a
March 25, 2026
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), received a
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, received a
March 25, 2026
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, received a
DPRK Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui sent a message of greeting to Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, minister of International Relations and
March 24, 2026
DPRK Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui sent a message of greeting to Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, minister of International Relations and
Kim Jong Un , president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, received a congratulatory message
March 24, 2026
Kim Jong Un , president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, received a congratulatory message
DPRK Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui received a message of greeting from Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, minister of International Relations
March 24, 2026
DPRK Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui received a message of greeting from Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, minister of International Relations
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
March 24, 2026
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Repub
March 24, 2026
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Repub
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, sent a
March 23, 2026
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, sent a
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the
March 22, 2026
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the
The DPRK embassy in Moscow hosted a reception on March 18 to mark the 77 th anniversary of the conclusion of the agreement on
March 22, 2026
The DPRK embassy in Moscow hosted a reception on March 18 to mark the 77 th anniversary of the conclusion of the agreement on
More Articles
