S. Korea calls for ASEAN to support its efforts for dialogue with N. Korea
Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Chung Eui-hae, front row center, poses with ambassadors of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) nations during a luncheon meeting in Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of Ministry of Foreign Affairs
South Korea's Deputy Foreign Minister Chung Eui-hae on Wednesday called for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to support its efforts to resume dialogue with North Korea, the foreign ministry said.
Chung made the call during a luncheon meeting with ambassadors from 11 ASEAN member states stationed in Seoul, including Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, according to the ministry.
During the meeting, Chung expressed appreciation for ASEAN leaders to support President Lee Jae Myung's "END" initiative to end hostility and promote peace with the North during the ASEAN-related summit in October.
Lee unveiled the END initiative — "exchange," "normalization" and "denuclearization" — as his key policy direction toward North Korea during his address at the U.N. General Assembly in September.
Chung also stressed that South Korea is working to further strengthen its comprehensive strategic partnership with ASEAN, including by expanding people-to-people exchanges and enhancing cooperation in trade and security, according to the ministry.