The foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) urged on Saturday the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and all parties to create a conducive environment to ease the mounting tensions in the Korean Peninsula.
In a one-page statement, the ASEAN foreign ministers expressed "grave concerns over the escalation of tensions in the Korean Peninsula including the most recent testing by the DPRK of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) on July 4 and July 28 and previous ballistic missile launches and two nuclear tests in 2016."
"These developments seriously threaten peace, security and stability in the region and the world. In this regard, we strongly urge the DPRK to immediately comply fully with its obligations under all relevant UN Security Council resolutions," the ASEAN ministers said.
The ministers reiterated their support "for the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in a special manner.
Calling for the exercise of self-restraint, the ministers underscored the importance of creating conditions conducive for dialogue to de-escalate tensions.
The ministers also expressed support to improve inter-Korean relations towards establishing permanent peace in the Korean Peninsula.
"ASEAN stands ready to play a constructive role in contributing to peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula," the ministers said.
The ASEAN ministers also called on DPRK, as a participant to the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), "to positively contribute to realizing the ARF vision to maintain the Asia-Pacific as a region of lasting peace, stability, friendship and prosperity where states and organizations, both within and outside the region work in a spirit of mutual trust, appreciation and respect to overcome security threats and challenges and prevent escalation of potential conflicts with a view to creating an environment conducive to sustainable development, social progress and improved quality life for all peoples in the region."
