- Deputy Minister Choi discussed regional and global issues, including the situation on the Korean Peninsula and ways to promote confidence building measures and preventive diplomacy to enhance regional peace and stability.

- The ROK shared plans to host ARF Experts and Eminent Persons Meeting next year in Korea. 

1. The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) was held online at 12:00-16:00 (KST) on June 14. Deputy Minister for Political Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Choi Yongsam and ROK Ambassador to ASEAN Lee Jang-keun attended the meeting as the head and alternate head of the Republic of Korea’s delegation and took part in the discussions on substantive matters on cyber and maritime security as well as on regional and global issues, including the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

※ ARF members (a total of 27): 10 ASEAN Member States, ROK, DPRK, U.S., China, Japan, Russia, EU, India, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Mongolia and Pakistan 

- North Korean delegation was headed by An Kwang Il, Ambassador to Indonesia and ASEAN.

2. The ROK informed the meeting that as part of its contribution to promoting the relevance of the ARF and its future direction, the ROK will host the 16th ARF Experts and Eminent Persons Meeting in Korea next year together with the co-chair Brunei. 

※ ARF Experts and Eminent Persons Meeting: A 1.5 track meeting among experts appointed by ARF members and government officials to discuss major security issues in the region and the future direction of the ARF. The recommendation adopted at the meeting is submitted to the ARF Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. 

3. On the Korean Peninsula issue, Deputy Minister Choi pointed out that North Korea’s missile provocations on an unprecedented scale which have continued since last year is a clear violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions, and strongly condemned North Korea for such provocations. Given the possibility of additional provocations by North Korea, including the launch of another long-range ballistic missile under the pretext of a so-called “satellite” launch, the ROK stressed that it is imperative that the international community send out a firm and united message that such provocations will not be tolerated.

o The ROK pointed out that North Korea is using ROK-U.S. joint military exercise as a pretext for its provocations and that the international community needs to make it clear to North Korea as to who is responsible for escalating tensions.

- Furthermore, Deputy Minister Choi called upon the ARF members to block North Korea’s illicit revenue generation for its nuclear and missile development through malicous cyber activities and overseas IT workers. 

o At the same time, he said that the ROK, while responding firmly to North Korea’s provocations, will make efforts to create a strategic environment conducive to denuclearization talks based on the ROK’s Audacious Initiative. 

4. The ROK further stressed that it will do its part to establish a free, peaceful and prosperous regional order based on the ROK’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, which was announced last November. The ROK added that in order for the ARF to remain relevant and responsive to the fast-changing security landscape as the region’s key security dialogue, the platform should be a venue for an open and constructive exchange of views on major regional issues. 

5. Participants of the meeting shared the view that confidence building measures and preventive diplomacy anchored on joint efforts are important to effectively address various security challenges in the region. In addition to the Korean Peninsula issue, the meeting participants also discussed major regional and global issues, including the war in Ukraine, South China Sea and Myanmar. 

o On the war in Ukraine, the ROK reaffirmed its position on the need to respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine and strongly condemned Russia’s armed invasion of Ukraine in violation of international law, including the UN Charter. The ROK said that it will continue to be part of international efforts to support the people of Ukraine. 

o On the Myanmar situation, the ROK called for immediate cessation of violence and inclusive dialogue among all parties for the peaceful resolution of the situation. The ROK looked forward to meaningful progress in the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus under the leadership of Indonesia, this year’s ASEAN Chair. In the meantime, the ROK emphasized that it will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Myanmar, including relief assistance to those affected by Cyclone Mocha. 

※ ASEAN Five-Point Consensus:  ① immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar ② constructive dialogue among all parties concerned ③ appointment of special envoy of the ASEAN Chair ④ humanitarian assistance by ASEAN through AHA Centre ⑤ special envoy’s visit to Myanmar to meet with all parties concerned.

ㅇ Regarding the South China Sea, the ROK explained that as peace and stability in the South China Sea, a key maritime trade and transport route, is critical to the region’s prosperity, the ROK opposes the unilateral change of status quo by force in these waters. The ROK said that it will work with partners including ASEAN Member States to maintain freedom of navigation and overflight and rules-based maritime order in the South China Sea. 

6. Participants also discussed preparations for the 30th ARF Foreign Ministers’ Meeting to be held in July as well as the outcome documents, including statements, to be adopted at the meeting.