South Korea's Foreign Minister Calls for Continued Dialogue with North Korea

Cho Hyun, South Korea's Foreign Minister, stated on July 23 that the country will continue its efforts to resume dialogue with North Korea with patience to achieve peace and coexistence on the Korean Peninsula.

During the 16th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Manila, Philippines, Cho urged member countries to maintain their interest and cooperation in resolving issues related to the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and diplomacy.

The EAS, established in 2005, is a strategic forum for leaders from ASEAN and major countries, comprising 19 nations including the 11 ASEAN countries, South Korea, Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand, India, the United States, and Russia.

The meeting addressed key political and security issues in the region, including the Korean Peninsula, the South China Sea, Myanmar, and the Middle East.

Many participants emphasized the importance of maintaining peace, stability, and security in the South China Sea. Cho highlighted that the South China Sea, as a vital maritime route, must ensure freedom of navigation and overflight, and that international maritime order based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea should be upheld. He also stressed the importance of establishing guidelines that align with international law and do not infringe on the rights of third countries.

Regarding Myanmar, Cho expressed support for efforts to resolve issues based on the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus (5PC) and noted that the South Korean government is actively participating to improve the humanitarian situation.