26 July, 2010

South East Asia concerned with US-South Korean naval maneuvers

Economy & Politics, International View Comments

Comunicas.- The certainty that the People”s Democratic Republic of Korea will defend its sovereignty has caused concern in South East Asia, which remains attentive to US-South Korean naval maneuvers in Japanese waters.

Washington and Seoul insisted on holding the joint military drills despite calls urging them to be cautious, and avoid a provocation that could blow out the volatile Korean peninsula.

Ri Tong il, North Korean spokesman to the ASEAN meeting, warned that in the current context, such exercises are “a clear sign of increasing hostility and a serious threat” for world peace and security.

Although there has not been much media interest in the meeting, it is clear that the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) clearly rejected a military solution to the current crisis.

ASEAN called for a resumption of the six-way talks, but made no pronouncement against the sanctions ratified there by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Via PL