PH, ASEAN ready to play part in dealing with NoKor nuke issue – DFA

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Logo (PNA Photo)

MANILA, Aug. 14 —The Philippines, as chair of this year’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summits, is focusing on decisive diplomatic approach for a peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue, said Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano.

Cayetano said both the Philippines and ASEAN are ready to play a part in dealing with the issue.

“We urge all sides to do everything that the doors of dialogue will open. Both sides are talking about national security, but there will be no national security if there is a nuclear and even if it’s a war with conventional weapons,” he told reporters during the international humanitarian law day celebration on Monday.

“Too many civilians will be immediately affected and then the effects will also be long term because the economies of the countries in the region and also in the neighboring regions will be severely affected,” he added.

ASEAN foreign ministers early this month called on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) anew to exercise self-restraint with regards to its nuclear and missile tests, as they support the denuclearization of Pyongyang.

They reiterated ‘grave concerns’ over the escalation of tensions in the Korean Peninsula, noting these “developments seriously threaten peace, security and stability in the region and the world.” (PNA)