Duterte wants North Korea to be Asean's dialogue partner

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday expressed his intent to make North Korea as dialogue partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

Duterte floated the possibility that North Korea might be a regional bloc's dialogue partner during the grand celebration of Asean's 50th founding anniversary held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

Duterte, the chairperson of Asean 2017, made the statement that North Korea “would be a good dialogue partner” upon the arrival of North Korea’s Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho, who graced the ceremonial rites.

The President issued the remark on behalf of Asean member-states.

"You know, I always wanted to invite you here. We would be a good dialogue partner," Duterte told Ri.

Responding to Duterte's statement, Ri merely thanked the Asean chair.

Duterte’s statement came amid the standoff between the United States and North Korea over the Korean peninsula.

In a joint statement issued by Asean leaders on May 1, they said the escalating tensions between the US and the North Korea "can affect the peace and stability in the entire region."

Southeast Asian leaders also called upon the two countries to maintain "peace, security, and stability" by pushing for denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

On August 5, Asean foreign ministers also issued a joint statement, expressing "grave concerns" over North Korea's missile launches and nuclear tests.

Asean diplomats also reiterated their call for "complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner."

Asean has several dialogue partners, including Russia and the European Union.

As dialogue partners of Asean, they must meet regularly with the regional bloc at the working and senior levels to guide the development of regional ties.

Last year, North Korea sought dialogue partnership with Asean but it has been rejected because of the security situation in the Korean Peninsula. (SunStar Philippines)

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