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)
Some time ago, a professor of San Francisco University and foreign-policy columnist for The Nation revealed the double dealing
April 26, 2024
Some time ago, a professor of San Francisco University and foreign-policy columnist for The Nation revealed the double dealing
With regards to the recent armed conflict between Iran and Israel in the Middle East, Global Times released an editorial “Who is
April 26, 2024
With regards to the recent armed conflict between Iran and Israel in the Middle East, Global Times released an editorial “Who is
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, sent a
April 26, 2024
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, sent a
Receptions, friendly meetings, book and photo exhibitions and film shows were held at the DPRK missions in Khabarovsk of Russia,
April 25, 2024
Receptions, friendly meetings, book and photo exhibitions and film shows were held at the DPRK missions in Khabarovsk of Russia,
April 25 is a meaningful day that marks the 5 th anniversary of the first historic meeting between Comrade Kim Jong Un ,
April 25, 2024
April 25 is a meaningful day that marks the 5 th anniversary of the first historic meeting between Comrade Kim Jong Un ,
Kim Un Chol, vice-minister for U.S. affairs of the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), issued
April 25, 2024
Kim Un Chol, vice-minister for U.S. affairs of the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), issued
At such a historic time when a new era of overall national prosperity has opened up, our people are significantly celebrating the
April 25, 2024
At such a historic time when a new era of overall national prosperity has opened up, our people are significantly celebrating the
Im Chon Il, Vice Foreign Minister of the DPRK in charge of Russian affairs, released the following press statement on April 24.
April 24, 2024
Im Chon Il, Vice Foreign Minister of the DPRK in charge of Russian affairs, released the following press statement on April 24.
Antonov, Russian Ambassador to the U.S., answered to the question raised by the journalists in regard to the assertion made by the
April 24, 2024
Antonov, Russian Ambassador to the U.S., answered to the question raised by the journalists in regard to the assertion made by the
The chief of the Foreign News Section of the Department of Press and Information of the DPRK Foreign Ministry issued the following
April 24, 2024
The chief of the Foreign News Section of the Department of Press and Information of the DPRK Foreign Ministry issued the following
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, sent a
April 24, 2024
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, sent a
April 25 is a significant day in the DPRK greeting the 92 nd anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Revolutionary
April 24, 2024
April 25 is a significant day in the DPRK greeting the 92 nd anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Revolutionary
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), received on
April 22, 2024
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), received on
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), received on
April 22, 2024
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), received on
Recently, the spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that China expressed strong opposition, on several occasions, t
April 22, 2024
Recently, the spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that China expressed strong opposition, on several occasions, t
On April 14, Iran attacked the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories in retaliation for Israel’s missile strike on the
April 21, 2024
On April 14, Iran attacked the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories in retaliation for Israel’s missile strike on the
Kim Son Gyong, Vice-Minister for International Organizations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s
April 19, 2024
Kim Son Gyong, Vice-Minister for International Organizations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s
Talks were held between Comrade Im Chon Il, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and
April 19, 2024
Talks were held between Comrade Im Chon Il, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, President of the State Affairs of the
April 19, 2024
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, President of the State Affairs of the
Choe Son Hui, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, sent a message of greetings to her
April 19, 2024
Choe Son Hui, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, sent a message of greetings to her
More Articles