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, sent a
January 26, 2026
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, sent a
Kim Jong Un , General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, sent a congratulatory message to To Lam, General Secretary of the
January 26, 2026
Kim Jong Un , General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, sent a congratulatory message to To Lam, General Secretary of the
Today is the International Day of Education. Proceeding from the renewed recognition of the important role of education in
January 24, 2026
Today is the International Day of Education. Proceeding from the renewed recognition of the important role of education in
At the 73 rd session of the UN General Assembly in 2018, January 24 was designated the International Day of Education, as a part
January 24, 2026
At the 73 rd session of the UN General Assembly in 2018, January 24 was designated the International Day of Education, as a part
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
January 24, 2026
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
The Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) sent a congratulatory message to the 14 th Congress of the Communist
January 20, 2026
The Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) sent a congratulatory message to the 14 th Congress of the Communist
The DPRK youth movement featuring brilliant inheritance, tradition and noble feats is now in the heyday of its development writing
January 19, 2026
The DPRK youth movement featuring brilliant inheritance, tradition and noble feats is now in the heyday of its development writing
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the
January 18, 2026
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the
Today, our young people are significantly marking the 80 th founding anniversary of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League. There
January 17, 2026
Today, our young people are significantly marking the 80 th founding anniversary of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League. There
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received New Year cards from heads of state and government, political party leaders and
January 17, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received New Year cards from heads of state and government, political party leaders and
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received congratulatory messages and letters from different countries on the occasion of the New
January 16, 2026
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received congratulatory messages and letters from different countries on the occasion of the New
Filled with the spirit of pioneering into the uncharted territory and strong will and burning enthusiasm to remain faithful to the
January 14, 2026
Filled with the spirit of pioneering into the uncharted territory and strong will and burning enthusiasm to remain faithful to the
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, received a reply
January 13, 2026
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, received a reply
Kim Song, Permanent Representative of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea（DPRK） to the UN, issued the following press
January 13, 2026
Kim Song, Permanent Representative of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea（DPRK） to the UN, issued the following press
The permanent mission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to the United Nations issued the following press
January 12, 2026
The permanent mission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to the United Nations issued the following press
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a flower basket to Thongloun Sisoulith upon his reelection as the general secretary of
January 10, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a flower basket to Thongloun Sisoulith upon his reelection as the general secretary of
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea(DPRK), sent
January 09, 2026
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea(DPRK), sent
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, sent a congratulatory message to Comrade
January 09, 2026
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, sent a congratulatory message to Comrade
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the
January 09, 2026
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), sent a
January 09, 2026
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), sent a
More Articles
