Seoul: South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun was set to depart for the Philippines to participate in a series of meetings involving the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other partner nations, including the United States and China, as announced by his office. The three-day visit, concluding on Thursday, aims to strengthen cooperation with ASEAN and regional partners in areas such as energy and economic security amid regional and global challenges.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Seoul intends to leverage these ASEAN-related meetings to gather support for its initiatives to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula and encourage North Korea to return to dialogue. Cho will co-chair the Korea-ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting with Thailand, focusing on advancing their comprehensive strategic partnership with emphasis on artificial intelligence, cultural exchange, and joint efforts against online scams.
Cho is scheduled for trilateral talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi to discuss North Korea and economic and security cooperation. Bilateral discussions are also planned with counterparts from the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, and Brunei. Additionally, one-on-one meetings with top diplomats from the United States, Japan, and China are being arranged.
On Thursday, Cho will attend the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) ministerial meeting along with Japan and China, to explore cooperation on food and energy security amid the conflict involving Iran. At the East Asia Summit foreign ministers' meeting, Cho will collaborate with APT members and other nations to discuss developments on the Korean Peninsula, the East China Sea, the Middle East, and the war in Ukraine.
The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), also set for Thursday, is anticipated to be a platform for Seoul to rally international support for peace and stability efforts on the Korean Peninsula. The ARF, which includes 27 participants such as ASEAN members, East Asia Summit partners, North Korea, the European Union, and Canada, remains the only regional security forum that includes North Korea. Cho plans to use the forum to reinforce South Korea's commitment to peaceful coexistence and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and to urge Pyongyang to engage in dialogue.
North Korea did not attend last year's forum in Malaysia, marking the first absence in 25 years. Sources suggest the possibility of North Korea skipping this year's gathering as well.