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)
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, received a
May 20, 2026
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, received a
Open infringement upon state sovereignty, wanton violation of the international laws, and the subsequent politico-economic chaos
May 20, 2026
Open infringement upon state sovereignty, wanton violation of the international laws, and the subsequent politico-economic chaos
Comrade Pak Thae Song, Premier of the Cabinet of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, sent a congratulatory message to
May 19, 2026
Comrade Pak Thae Song, Premier of the Cabinet of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, sent a congratulatory message to
China has taken a tough stance against the unilateral sanctions of the U.S. and the UK. Recently, the Chinese foreign ministry
May 19, 2026
China has taken a tough stance against the unilateral sanctions of the U.S. and the UK. Recently, the Chinese foreign ministry
All people in our country are now accelerating the overall development of socialism true to the idea and spirit set forth by the 9
May 19, 2026
All people in our country are now accelerating the overall development of socialism true to the idea and spirit set forth by the 9
The word “orphan” is a synonym of a miserable life in any country. Yet, the orphans are enjoying a blessed life and the
May 18, 2026
The word “orphan” is a synonym of a miserable life in any country. Yet, the orphans are enjoying a blessed life and the
Comrade Le Hoai Trung, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Minister of
May 17, 2026
Comrade Le Hoai Trung, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Minister of
The enthusiasm of the young generation to fully demonstrate the spirit of the Korean youth in the general advance towards the new
May 16, 2026
The enthusiasm of the young generation to fully demonstrate the spirit of the Korean youth in the general advance towards the new
Jo Yong Won, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, first
May 16, 2026
Jo Yong Won, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, first
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) gave the following answer
May 15, 2026
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) gave the following answer
Comrade Le Hoai Trung, member of the Political Bureau of the C.C., Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and foreign minister of the
May 15, 2026
Comrade Le Hoai Trung, member of the Political Bureau of the C.C., Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and foreign minister of the
The embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) organized a photo
May 15, 2026
The embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) organized a photo
Fuel and energy prices soar and food production and supply are unstable in many countries with the outbreak of Middle East
May 15, 2026
Fuel and energy prices soar and food production and supply are unstable in many countries with the outbreak of Middle East
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, received a reply
May 15, 2026
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, received a reply
Comrade Kim Song Nam, member of the Political Bureau, Secretary and Director of the International Department of the C.C., Workers’
May 14, 2026
Comrade Kim Song Nam, member of the Political Bureau, Secretary and Director of the International Department of the C.C., Workers’
Comrade Choe Son Hui, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), had talks with Comrade Le
May 14, 2026
Comrade Choe Son Hui, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), had talks with Comrade Le
Staff members of the Russian embassy here laid a wreath at the Liberation Tower on May 9 on the occasion of the 81 st anniversary
May 10, 2026
Staff members of the Russian embassy here laid a wreath at the Liberation Tower on May 9 on the occasion of the 81 st anniversary
Song Se Il, ambassador of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to Brazil, presented his credentials to the president of the
May 10, 2026
Song Se Il, ambassador of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to Brazil, presented his credentials to the president of the
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a message of greeting to Comrade Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, president of the Russian
May 09, 2026
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a message of greeting to Comrade Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, president of the Russian
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, sent a reply
May 08, 2026
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, sent a reply
More Articles
