0
The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) is underway at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Manila, Philippines, on July 23. / Yonhap News

Foreign ministers from the Indo-Pacific region attending the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) adopted a chair statement containing the expression "complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula" for the second consecutive year. While North Korea continues to emphasize its status as a nuclear-armed state, it was reaffirmed that the ARF maintains its position on abiding by UN Security Council resolutions and achieving the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

According to diplomatic sources on July 26, the ARF chair statement was released on July 25 following the ARF Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Manila, Philippines, on July 23 (local time).

Adopted in the absence of North Korea for the second straight year, the chair statement expressed grave concern over North Korea's continued development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs in violation of UN Security Council resolutions. The statement noted that it "emphasized the importance of peaceful dialogue among all concerned parties in order to realize lasting peace and stability in a denuclearized Korean Peninsula." It also called for the full implementation of all UN Security Council resolutions and, referring to international efforts toward the "complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," urged that "diplomatic efforts should remain a priority." In particular, it stressed that the ARF can serve as a constructive platform for peaceful dialogue among the parties concerned.

Regarding North Korea's nuclear issues, while last year's chair statement focused on North Korea's ballistic missile provocations such as intercontinental ballistic missiles, this year's statement differed in that it expressed concern over the overall nuclear field, including the development of nuclear and missile programs.

The phrase "complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula" was included for the second consecutive year. In the ARF chair statements, the expression "complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization" (CVID) was used from 2022 to 2024, before being replaced by "complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula" starting last year. This aligns with the North Korea policy of the Lee Jae-myung administration, which advocates a policy of peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula.

At this ARF meeting, active discussions were also held on disaster relief, counter-terrorism and transnational crime, maritime security, non-proliferation and disarmament, and the use of information and communications technology and security. In particular, it was reaffirmed that the ultimate goal remains the complete elimination and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

Regarding the situation in the Middle East, the chair statement directly mentioned U.S. and Iran, expressing "grave concern." It added calls for the parties concerned to "exercise restraint and refrain from actions that could escalate tensions" and to "immediately and fully cease hostilities."

On the South China Sea issue, it expressed expectation that effective and substantive negotiations consistent with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea will be concluded within this year. It particularly emphasized that "all states should refrain from any activities that could escalate tensions in the South China Sea."

In addition, the UK was approved as the 28th member state of the ARF at this meeting.

                                                                                                            Mok Yong-jae