Manila to Pyongyang: Call Off Ballistic Missile Test Plans, Avoid Further Raising Tensions

30 August 2017 SEOUL -- Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano today urged the People's Democratic Republic of Korea to call off its announced plans to conduct more ballistic missile test launches to avoid further raising tensions in the region.

"The Philippines urges the DPRK to heed  the calls of the international community to avoid taking provocative actions that contribute to nothing but heightened tensions not just in the Korean Peninsula but also in the rest of the Asia-Pacific Region," Secretary Cayetano said after delivering his keynote speech at the International Conference on ASEAN-Korea Partnership in Seoul.

The Secretary, who is this year's ASEAN chair, issued the statement shortly after Pyongyang announced that Tuesday's launch of an intermediate ballistic middle over Japan would be followed by more missile test launched towards the Pacific.

"The Philippines and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), however, continue to be willing to play a constructive role in creating an environment that would help achieve peace and stability in our part of the world," said Secretary Cayetano.

In his keynote speech, Secretary Cayetano said ASEAN and Korea have a shared stake in regional peace and stability that calls for much closer consultations in light of serious developments that could impact the security of nations beyond the Korean Peninsula.

"ASEAN had made known its position on the DPRK issue on multiple occasions with a clear bottom line and that is to support an environment conducive to sustainable development, social progress and improved quality of life for all peoples in the region," he told his audience that included South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-Wha and ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh.

"We were partners yesterday. We are partners today. We will continue to be partners for tomorrow," Secretary Cayetano said.

Themed "Partnering for Tomorrow," the conference was organized by the Korean Government, the ASEAN-Korea Center, the Korean Institute for Southeast Asian Studies and Joongang Ilbo daily as part of the commemoration of the organization's 50th anniversary this year.

"Tried and tested, ASEAN-ROK cooperation has encouraged confidence in the power of our abiding friendship to build a future of shared peace and prosperity," said Secretary Cayetano.

"Our political-security engagements, based on mutual trust, continue to grow bilaterally and through ASEAN-led fora," the Secretary said. "Our healthy economic ties hold the promise of greater prosperity for our peoples."

"Our strong people to people connections remain solid and, through our joint efforts, will be enhanced further in years to come," he added. END